Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Massed Modular Aircraft Commercial Solutions Opening for Autonomous and AI-Enabled Uncrewed Aircraft

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Massed Modular Aircraft Commercial Solutions Opening for Autonomous and AI-Enabled Uncrewed Aircraft is sponsored by U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The Defense Innovation Unit's Massed Modular Aircraft Commercial Solutions Opening seeks commercial solutions for low-cost, mass-producible, modular uncrewed aircraft with autonomous flight and AI-enabled coordination for collaborative, attritable operations.

DIU Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) Commercial Solutions Opening | Prototype OTA Funding Opportunity — BW&CO DIU - Massed Modular Aircraft CSO Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking commercial solutions for Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) —cost-effective, theater-range unmanned aircraft designed to operate in large numbers despite expected combat losses.

The Joint Force is looking for modular platforms capable of carrying a variety of payloads, including Full Motion Video (FMV) sensors, while supporting long-range strike, intelligence, electronic warfare, and communications missions.

DIU is specifically interested in technologies that can provide affordable, rapidly manufacturable unmanned aircraft capable of overwhelming sophisticated air defenses through mass rather than relying on small numbers of high-cost platforms. Applications are due by 2026-07-23 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time.

Companies should begin preparing immediately, as DIU rarely grants extensions and solution briefs must be submitted electronically through the DIU website. How much funding would I receive? The solicitation does not specify the amount of the award but typically these opportunities range from about $500,000 to about $5 million What could I use the funding for?

Funding may support prototype projects for technologies that address the Massed Modular Aircraft Area of Interest, including solutions that provide: Cost-effective, theater-range modular unmanned aircraft Long-range payload delivery Full Motion Video (FMV) sensor integration Modular payload integration Rapid technology integration using Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles Prototype development and flight testing The solicitation identifies the following desired capabilities: Payload capacity of at least 2,800 lbs Unrefueled combat radius of at least 2,300 nautical miles One-way self-deployment of at least 8,000 nautical miles One-to-many operator-to-UAS control Hybrid SATCOM/mesh networking Operation from 6,000-foot or shorter prepared or semi-improved runways Approximately 25kW available power and 5kW cooling for payloads Full-scale prototype flight testing within 21 months of award Target Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in FY2031 consisting of 20 mission-ready aircraft delivered to an operational unit.

Primary Attributes Sought Risk Tolerance: Designed for affordable, high-rate manufacture, and minimized total ownership cost Sufficient Munition and Sensor Payload Capacity: Payload capacity of at least 2800 lbs Meaningful Range: Unrefueled combat radius of at least 2300 nautical miles while carrying payload and ability to self-deploy one-way at least 8,000 nautical miles Maximum Interoperability, and Integration: Capable of rapid integration and upgrades via exploitation of the following Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) tenets: a) Government Reference Architectures; b) Model Based Systems Engineering; c) formal methods-based software verification Secondary Attributes Sought Autonomy for Control: a one-to-many operator-to-UAS control ratio Sufficiently Resilient and Integrated Communications: Hybrid SATCOM/mesh network connecting to Department of the Air Force-Battle Network (DAF-BN); execution of local airfield operations (taxi, takeoff, landing, and divert) under highly degraded or denied primary C2/SATCOM conditions Tactically Relevant: At least 200 knots true airspeed; operation from 6,000-foot runway or shorter, semi-improved or prepared Sufficient SWaP-C: Sufficient available size, weight, power (25kW), and cooling (5kW) to host a variety of internal and/or external payloads.

Enables rapid payload exchange Are there any additional benefits I would receive? The solicitation states that a successful Prototype Other Transaction Agreement may result in the direct award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without further competitive procedures if the prototype project is successfully completed.

The follow-on production effort may be used by one or more Department of Defense organizations and could be significantly larger than the Prototype OT agreement. What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding? 2026-07-23 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time DIU evaluates Phase 1 Solution Briefs.

Selected companies are invited to a Phase 2 virtual or in-person pitch. Companies selected after the pitch may be invited to submit a full written proposal for a Prototype OTA. Full-scale prototype flight testing is expected within 21 months of award.

The target Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is FY2031. The solicitation does not specify when awards or funding will be issued. DIU states it will generally notify companies within approximately 30 days if it is interested in moving forward with a pitch.

Where does this funding come from? Funding comes from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) using the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process. Awards are made as Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C.

§ 4022 . Who is eligible to apply? The solicitation states it is open to: To utilize an Other Transaction Agreement, the requirements of 10 U.S.C.

4022 must be satisfied, including at least one of the following: At least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates to a significant extent; All significant non-government participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors; or At least one-third of the prototype project cost is funded from non-federal sources.

Companies selected for award that do not already have a CAGE code are required to register in SAM. gov . Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not identify specific categories of organizations that are prohibited from applying. However, companies must satisfy the statutory eligibility requirements for Prototype Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022 , and companies receiving awards must register in SAM and meet federal responsibility requirements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the stated evaluation criteria, DIU is seeking solutions that: Directly address the Massed Modular Aircraft problem statement Demonstrate strong technical merit Offer a unique or innovative commercial approach Demonstrate manufacturability Present acceptable pricing and schedules during Phase 2 Address modularity, affordability, long-range performance, and operational relevance The solicitation also emphasizes demonstrated commercial technology rather than conceptual ideas whenever possible.

How competitive will this solicitation be? The solicitation indicates that DIU routinely receives more Solution Briefs than it has resources to award. Only a select number of companies will be invited to the Phase 2 pitch, even if multiple submissions are considered technically meritorious.

Are there any restrictions I should know about? Solution Briefs should be approximately 5 pages or 15 slides . Submissions must be submitted electronically through the DIU website.

Late submissions will not be evaluated. Only one concept may be included in each Solution Brief. Solution Briefs must be unclassified.

Companies must certify submission requirements, including compliance regarding Controlled Unclassified Information. Any resulting agreement will require compliance with Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 .

Prototype projects generally should have periods of performance no greater than 24 months . How long will it take me to prepare an application? The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare a concise Solution Brief that is approximately five pages or fifteen slides and includes company information, an executive summary, technology description, commercialization information, and company viability details.

BW&CO can help your team prepare a competitive DIU submission by: Assessing alignment with the Area of Interest Developing a compliant Solution Brief Positioning your commercial technology against DIU evaluation criteria Strengthening technical and commercialization messaging Preparing your team for the Phase 2 pitch Supporting proposal development if invited to submit a full written proposal Review the solicitation here.

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