PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 1
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Materials
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
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Integrated Sensing and Cyber
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Quantum Science
KEYWORDS
Quantum Sensors; Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT); Radio Frequency (RF) Sensors; Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), Electromagnetic; UAS; Photonics
OBJECTIVE
The U.S. Army is seeking innovative quantum sensor and photonics solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the xTech|Phantum competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) is partnering with the U.S. Army Directorate for Strategy & Transformation (DAMI-ST) to deliver the xTech|Phantum competition. The Army recognizes that the DoW must enhance engagements with U.S. small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of world-class technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoW; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into the DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the DoW.
DESCRIPTION
The topic listed below is part of the xTech|Phantum Prize Competition. See the full xTech|Phantum competition RFI here: https://www.xtech.army.mil/competitions/.
xTech|Phantum will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for award. Winners selected from the xTech|Phantum prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a SBIR proposal under the topic listed above. Proposals submitted to the topic listed above by non-winners or non-participants of the xTech|Phantum competition will not be evaluated.
May 6, 2026: White paper submission deadline via link above
Topic 1: Quantum Sensors and Quantum Clocks for Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)
Topic Objective: The objective of this topic is to advance and develop quantum sensor and quantum clock technologies that support non-GPS position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities.
Topic Description: The Army is seeking innovative quantum sensors and quantum clocks to supplement existing GPS systems and provide alternative PNT functionality in the event of GPS failure or non-availability:
Quantum sensors (e.g., inertial, magnetic, etc.) that enable accurate positioning information for ground vehicles, aircraft, and munitions navigation without requiring GPS.
Quantum clocks that provide precise time references, improve time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) calculations, and enable reliable, non-GPS PNT solutions.
Topic 2: Quantum Radio Frequency Sensors
Topic Objective: The objective of this topic is to advance the development of quantum sensor technologies that can provide field-demonstrable alternatives to existing radio frequency (RF) antenna systems.
Topic Description: The Army is seeking novel radio frequency (RF) sensors leveraging quantum mechanics that provide wider access to the RF spectrum, more sensitive reception of signals, and greater flexibility in the size, weight and power (SWaP) compared to existing Army radio frequency (RF) systems. This topic intends to further develop these sensors with a focus on ruggedization (hardening for temperature and environmental conditions such as weather, dust, etc.) and miniaturization. Key application areas include:
Ultra-wideband RF sensing, with the ability to cover exceedingly large frequency ranges (ELF-EHF) from a single antenna aperture without the need to change hardware.
Ultra-sensitive RF sensing, with the ability to pull signals out of the noise floor of a loud RF environment or increase the range of detection of signals.
Topic 3: Quantum Electromagnetic Sensors
Topic Objective: The objective of this topic is to advance the development of quantum sensor technologies with a narrower frequency range for detection of low power, non-RF electromagnetic fields.
Topic Description: The Army is seeking quantum electromagnetic sensors outside of the radio frequency range that can augment use cases with narrower frequency ranges.
Detection of low power static fields:
Field sensors that can detect minute environmental anomalies, such as magnetic or gravitational disturbances, to identify subsurface, terrestrial, air and space vehicles (e.g., stealth aircraft, submersibles, etc.). Small, light, and low-power systems are preferable to enable sensors to be located on both aerial platforms (e.g., Group 1 and 2 UAS, High Altitude Balloon Systems, etc.) and ground platforms (e.g., vehicles, robots, etc.).
Field sensors that can detect minute environmental anomalies, such as magnetic or gravitational disturbances, to identify hidden underground bunkers, tunnels, or resource caches. Small, light, and low-power systems are preferable to enable sensors to be located on both aerial platforms (e.g., Group 1 and 2 UAS, High Altitude Balloon Systems, etc.) and ground platforms (e.g., vehicles, robots, etc.).
Detection of bioelectric activity in the human body: Small form factor electric field sensors that can measure electrical signals in the human body (e.g., electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms) accurately and quickly to augment field medicine.
Topic 4: Photonics
Topic Objective: The objective of this topic is to advance and develop innovative technologies that leverage photonics for secure, high-speed communication and data processing.
Topic Description: The Army is seeking advanced and scalable photonics components and systems to enhance mission-critical capabilities in communication and edge processing. Key application areas include:
Secure, High-Bandwidth Communications:
High-speed optical electronics for rapid, high-volume data transfer.
Secure and resilient data links between assets (air-to-ground, ship-to-shore). Functionality through smoke, camouflage, and all weather is preferable, as well as resilience to electronic warfare attacks (e.g., jamming, interception). Data link range should reflect the targeted platform (e.g., 35km or less for Group 1 and 2 UAS, 1,000+km for high altitude platforms and jets, etc.).
High-bandwidth line-of-sight communications for transferring large files. Functionality through smoke, camouflage, and all weather is preferable, as well as resilience to electronic warfare attacks (e.g., jamming, interception). Multiple applications are of interest:
Transferring data from the edge to Battalion and Brigade headquarters at a range of 2-35km.
Transferring data from brigade headquarters to Echelons above Corps at a range of 1,000+ km.
Transferring data from on-the-move robots, vehicles, or aircraft traversing the battlefield to fixed sites at a range of 1,000+ km.
Edge Processing & Computing:
Photonic components or integrated circuits optimized for real-time, onboard analysis of sensor data at the point of collection, such as object recognition from hyperspectral video feeds and pre-processing of data on unmanned platforms. Applications of interest span multiple data types, from small microsensor outputs to large full motion video feeds.
Photonic components that replace conventional RF electronics (e.g., in voice and data radios, SATCOM, RADAR) to reduce size, weight, and power (SWaP) while increasing resilience and performance.
PHASE I
This topic is accepting Phase I submissions for a cost limit of $300,000 and a 6-month period of performance. Only winners of the xTech|Phantum competition are permitted to submit a phase I proposal for this topic.
Companies will complete a feasibility study that demonstrates the firm's competitive technical advantage relative to other commercial products (if other products exist) and develop concept plans for how the company's technology can be applied to Army modernization priority areas. Studies should clearly detail and identify a firm's technology at both the individual component and system levels, provide supporting literature for technical feasibility, highlight existing performance data, showcase the technology's application opportunities to a broad base of customers outside the defense space, a market strategy for the commercial space, how the technology directly addresses the Army's modernization area as well as include a technology development roadmap to demonstrate scientific and engineering viability.
At the end of Phase I, the company will be required to provide a concept demonstration of their technology to demonstrate a high probability that continued design and development will result in a Phase II mature product.
PHASE II
Produce prototype solutions that will be easy to operate by a Soldier. These products will be provided to select Army units for further evaluation by the soldiers. In addition, companies will provide a technology transition and commercialization plan for DOD and commercial markets.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
Complete the maturation of the company's technology developed in Phase II to TRL 6/7 and produce prototypes to support further development and commercialization. The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide small solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation. Based on soldier evaluations in the field, companies will be requested to update the previously delivered prototypes to meet final design configuration.
REFERENCES
https://www.xtech.army.mil/competitions/
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