Platform-Agnostic, Open Architecture, Advanced Automated Search & Track and Target Recognition Enhancement for Airborne, Fixed-Wing Special Operations Applications

Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Air Platform
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Sensors
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
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Trusted AI and Autonomy
KEYWORDS
Search and Track Functions; Advanced Moving Target Indicators (MTI) and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR); Open-Source Interfaces and Architecture
OBJECTIVE
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
The goal is to enhance operational efficiency, reduce crew workload, and improve mission outcomes for a variety of crewed and uncrewed SOF platforms that use EO/IR sensors.
ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
DESCRIPTION
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) seek artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies aimed at automating and optimizing search and track functions, particularly for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors on Special Operations Forces (SOF) unique platforms such as the AC-130J Ghostrider.
PHASE I
As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for for this D2P2 topic, the Air Force expects the applicant(s) to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior 'Phase I-type' effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. Applicant(s) should provide documentation demonstrating a clear understanding of advanced automated search & track algorithms, advanced MTI/ATR concepts and software, open source architectures, and integration of miniaturized/hardware-lite solutions for use on a variety of platforms. This project will push the state-of-the-art in optimized, automated search & track functions, with provisions for open architectures for potential adoption across multiple SOF platforms. Applicant(s) will provision for a prototype roll-on/roll-off capability for flight evaluation (i.e. AC-130J) integrated into existing onboard sensors and operated by SOF aircrew in a relevant environment.
PHASE II
The goal is to reduce operator workload, improve situational awareness, and accelerate closure of the kill chain to improve operational outcomes. At its core, the project is software intensive and in theory would integrate into any platform with imaging sensors and SWAP-C to accommodate the processing power required for AI-enabled advanced search & track functions. It is anticipated the Phase II effort would include development on multiple ATR modes including: maritime/air-to-air/filtering and LLM learning to optimize ATR in all operational environments. A substantial ground-based R&D effort is required to evaluate software/algorithms using feeds collected from typical SOF platforms (including but not limited to EO/IR FMV sensors). Successful implementation could lead to a path to integration and procurement; a follow on Phase III could significantly increase the scope to a variety of host platforms.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
This topic has limited application in the commercial sector.Successful completion of a SBIR Phase II with a platform-agnostic, open architecture, advanced automated search & track capability for airborne, fixed-wing platforms would have wide-ranging applications across the DoW. The ultimate goal is to reduce operator workload, improve situational awareness, and accelerate closure of the kill chain to improve operational outcomes. At its core, the project is software intensive and in theory would integrate into any platform with imaging sensors and SWAP-C to accommodate the processing power required for AI-enabled advanced search & track functions. Phase III could significantly increase the scope to a variety of host platforms with direct path to fleet-wide integration and procurement.
REFERENCES
AFSOC Systems & Technology Priorities - AFSOC/CC (3-star), Memo, 19 Sep 2025