The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate released its broad agency announcement (BAA) seeking Applied Research (6.2), Advanced Technology Development (6.3), and Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (6.4) research proposals on various topics that will enhance aviation capabilities. This BAA specifically seeks proposals that will translate basic research into state-of-the-art solutions for systems and components that will lead to new operation capabilities.

While a comprehensive list of the research areas of interest to AFRL can be found in the full BAA, a few topics of interest to university researchers include:

• Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis

• Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies

• Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2t2) & Datalink Technologies

• High Velocity Fuzing

• Control Actuation System

• Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy and Machine Learning

Prior to submitting white papers for these research areas, AFRL highly recommends consulting the point of contact (POC) for the relevant research area to discuss ideas.

Total Funding and Award Size: The award ceiling for this BAA is $750 million.

Eligibility: This BAA is an unrestricted solicitation open to public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, and nonprofits. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) are permitted to respond to this solicitation; however, proposals will be subject to additional eligibility requirements; more information is provided in the full BAA.

Due Date: This BAA will remain open for five years from the posting date (October 31, 2029) or until the solicitation is amended or superseded. White papers may be submitted anytime during this period. Requests for proposals will be issued if a white paper is favor ably evaluated against the criteria. Full proposals will not be accepted under the BAA, unless the submitted white paper is selected and favorably evaluated. Additionally, over the five-year period of this BAA, AFRL may release calls for full proposals within the existing BAA for specific research topics on sam.gov under opportunity number “FA865125S0001”.

Sources and Additional Background: The full solicitation can be accessed here or by searching funding opportunity number “FA865125S0001” on www.grants.gov.

Source: Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC - Nov. 15, 2024