RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) (DARPA-PS-26-126)

RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) (DARPA-PS-26-126) is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA is soliciting proposals for the RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) program. This program likely focuses on innovative approaches in radio frequency technologies utilizing photonics.

Department of War organization. RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing Overcoming Longstanding Performance Limitations in Conventional Electronic Systems RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) seeks to harness recent breakthroughs in chip-scale photonics to fundamentally improve the performance of next-generation radio frequency (RF) systems.

While researchers have demonstrated the potential of photonic technologies to deliver unprecedented timing precision and signal stability, these capabilities have largely remained confined to laboratory environments. RAAPTR aims to translate these advances into compact, rugged technologies suitable for deployment on military platforms operating in demanding real-world conditions.

By leveraging photonics as a foundational element of future RF architectures, RAAPTR seeks to overcome longstanding performance limitations in conventional electronic systems. If successful, the program could enable a new generation of sensing, communications, and electronic warfare capabilities with greater precision, resilience, and effectiveness, helping maintain U.S. technological advantage in increasingly contested environments.

Proposers Day presentation | Q&A