AFWERX SBIR xTech Kinetic Reach Competition for AI-Enabled Autonomous Logistics Power Generation and Sustainment in Contested Environments is sponsored by U.S. Army xTechSearch (CCDC) and AFWERX. The xTech Kinetic Reach Competition (topic ARM26BX03-DP007) funds small businesses developing AI-powered autonomous logistics, power generation, casualty recovery, and sustainment solutions for contested military environments where traditional supply chains are denied or degrade…

Army xTech Kinetic Reach: Autonomous Logistics, Recovery, and Sustainment Technologies — BW&CO xTech|Kinetic Reach Competition - SBIR Topic ARM26BX03-DP007 Active specific topic DSIP The U.S. Army is seeking innovative force sustainment solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the xTech Kinetic Reach competition.

This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money and submit a Direct to Phase II Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal.

The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program, in partnership with the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) and Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) is executing the xTech|Kinetic Reach competition as part of the G-TEAD Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) series.

xTech|Kinetic Reach addresses the growing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) threat by identifying high-potential solutions and accelerating transition through funding and integration into live USAREUR-AF-led exercises.

Integrating into a USAREUR-AF-led exercise is critical to: (1) validate capabilities under operationally realistic conditions, (2) inform acquisition and integration decisions, and (3) address near-term gaps in autonomous ground operations and effects delivery in contested environments.

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.

​​xTech|Kinetic Reach is a focused open-topic competition designed to identify cutting-edge technology solutions that will drive significant advancements in military capabilities while addressing complex challenges and enhancing national security.

In largescale combat operations, U.S. Army forces must sustain dispersed, continuously moving formations while operating inside highly contested environments characterized by persistent observation, long range fires, electromagnetic interference, degraded mobility corridors, and severely constrained logistics.

Current sustainment and recovery methods rely heavily on manned systems that are increasingly vulnerable, slow to adapt, and unable to meet the demands of operations conducted near or within the Autonomous Zone.

The Army requires a suite of interoperable, autonomous or minimally manned capabilities - spanning ground and air distribution, power generation, forward arming and refueling, and vehicle recovery - that can operate with minimal oversight, low signatures, reduced logistical burden, and seamless command and control (C2) integration.

These capabilities must sustain tempo, reduce soldier exposure, and ensure survivability and mission continuity across the entire sustainment and recovery enterprise in high-threat, GPS and communications degraded environments where traditional methods are no longer feasible or survivable.

The Army is seeking to evaluate capabilities that demonstrate performance in one of six (6) capability areas, and meet the following criteria for its capability area: Topic 1: Uncrewed Ground Payload Transportation Topic 2: Autonomous container Handling/Movement System Topic 3: Future Power Generation Topic 4: Autonomous UAV/UGV Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) System Topic 5: Uncrewed Aerial Payload Transportation Topic 6: Uncrewed, Automated, Ground Recovery System Full competition details including details on these 6 topic areas of interest can be found in Appendix A section of the xTech|Kinetic Reach competition RFI here: https://www.

xtech. army. mil/competitions/ .

xTech|Kinetic Reach is a focused open-topic competition designed to identify cutting-edge technology solutions that will drive significant advancements in military capabilities while addressing complex challenges and enhancing national security.

In largescale combat operations, U.S. Army forces must sustain dispersed, continuously moving formations while operating inside highly contested environments characterized by persistent observation, long range fires, electromagnetic interference, degraded mobility corridors, and severely constrained logistics.

Current sustainment and recovery methods rely heavily on manned systems that are increasingly vulnerable, slow to adapt, and unable to meet the demands of operations conducted near or within the Autonomous Zone.

The Army requires a suite of interoperable, autonomous or minimally manned capabilities - spanning ground and air distribution, power generation, forward arming and refueling, and vehicle recovery - that can operate with minimal oversight, low signatures, reduced logistical burden, and seamless command and control (C2) integration.

These capabilities must sustain tempo, reduce soldier exposure, and ensure survivability and mission continuity across the entire sustainment and recovery enterprise in high-threat, GPS and communications degraded environments where traditional methods are no longer feasible or survivable.

The Army is seeking to evaluate capabilities that demonstrate performance in one of six (6) capability areas, and meet the following criteria for its capability area: Topic 1: Uncrewed Ground Payload Transportation Topic 2: Autonomous container Handling/Movement System Topic 3: Future Power Generation Topic 4: Autonomous UAV/UGV Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) System Topic 5: Uncrewed Aerial Payload Transportation Topic 6: Uncrewed, Automated, Ground Recovery System Full competition details including details on these 6 topic areas of interest can be found in Appendix A section of the xTech|Kinetic Reach competition RFI here: https://www.

xtech. army. mil/competitions/ .

The U.S. Army intends to award up to $1,500,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition. Up to 15 finalists will be selected at the conclusion of the Part 1 evaluation period and will be provided the opportunity to participate in the Part 2 live Soldier exercise, anticipated to occur in November 2026. Finalists who attend the Soldier exercise will receive a cash prize of $25,000, following the event.

Finalists who also participate and have their technology integrated in the exercise will receive an additional $25,000, following the event. Following completion of the exercise, up to five (5) final winners will be selected to receive an additional cash prize of $150,000 each. Final winners may be considered for potential follow-on agreements and contracting opportunities.

Part 2 winners that qualify as U.S. Small Businesses will have the opportunity to submit a Direct to Phase II Army SBIR proposal worth up to $2,000,000. This topic is accepting Direct-to-Phase II submissions with a cost limit of $2,000,000 and a period of performance of 12-18 months. Only winners of the xTech|Kinetic Reach competition are permitted to submit a proposal for this topic.

In order for proposers to submit a DP2 proposal, they must provide the justification documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and describes the potential military and/or commercial applications. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results.

Produce prototype solutions that will be easy to operate by a Soldier. These products will be provided to select Army units for testing and experimentation with end Users in a realistic field environment. Feedback from testing and experimentation will be provided directly to Small Businesses to iterate rapidly on recommended modifications or improvements for Army operational use.

In addition, companies will work with Army partners to develop a draft technology transition and commercialization plan for DoW and commercial markets. Complete the maturation of the company’s technology developed in Phase II to TRL 8/9 and produce prototypes to support scaling and fielding of the technology with the Army and pursue commercialization pathways.

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply. Who is eligible to apply? Any company that meets the following criteria: U.S.-owned and controlled.

500 or fewer employees (including affiliates) 1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support. 2) Proposal strategy and review. 3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below: Aerospace & Spacetech Robotics & Autonomous Systems Defense & Dual Use Technology Air Force Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning https://www. bwcoconsulting. com xTech|Inversion Competition - SBIR Topic ARM26BX03-NP006