BlackSky Awarded $99 Million Air Force Optical Imaging System Contract
Anna Davis03/07/2026
Contract Award Defense
HigherGov
The Air Force Research Laboratory Center for Rapid Innovation announced it has awarded a contract for the development of a low-cost, precision, large aperture optical imaging system testbed to BlackSky Geospatial Solutions LLC worth $99 million over approximately eight years. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, and was awarded as a sole source acquisition.
Work to be Completed Under Optical Imaging System Testbed Contract
This contract focuses on research and development for an advanced optical imaging system. BlackSky will be responsible for creating a testbed that utilizes a segmented primary mirror, precision laser metrology and mirror positioning, and large format focal plane arrays. The goal is to develop a cost-effective solution for high-precision, large-aperture imaging capabilities.
The project aims to push the boundaries of current imaging technology by integrating multiple innovative components. The segmented primary mirror approach allows for the construction of larger mirrors at reduced costs, while precision laser metrology ensures accurate alignment and positioning of each segment. Large format focal plane arrays will enable the capture of high-resolution images across wide fields of view.
Work under this contract will be performed at BlackSky’s facilities in Herndon, Virginia. The period of performance extends through March 6, 2032, with $2.1 million obligated at the time of award.
This SBIR Phase III award builds on prior research and development efforts by BlackSky and is intended to transition innovative technologies from earlier phases into operational prototypes or production systems. The contract structure allows for flexibility in delivering multiple task orders as requirements evolve over the duration of the agreement.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, serves as the contracting activity for this effort (contract numbers FA2385-26-D-B001/FA2385-26-F-B002).
About BlackSky Geospatial Solutions LLC
BlackSky Geospatial Solutions LLC, based in Herndon, Virginia, specializes in geospatial intelligence and advanced imaging technologies. The company has previously worked with the Air Force on related projects, including the a direct to Phase 2 SBIR contract valued at approximately $1.7 million.
As a small business innovator in the defense sector, BlackSky has leveraged its expertise in satellite imagery and data analytics to support government customers’ needs for timely and precise geospatial information. This latest award further expands its portfolio of research and development contracts with the Department of Defense.
This award was disclosed by the DoW in its daily press release. Additional contract details will be available on HigherGov once disclosed by the government in approximately 90 days under FA238526DB001, FA238526FB002 after the contract is formally disclosed by the government.
