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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Open Topic (C-UAS Opportunity) (DON26BX03-NP002) is sponsored by Department of the Navy (NAVAIR and NAVSEA). This SBIR Open Topic, managed jointly by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), seeks innovative counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions from small businesses.
The program focuses on AI-enabled systems for detecting, tracking, identifying, and neutralizing hostile drones and drone swarms, with an emphasis on autonomous sensing, machine learning-based classification, and C-UAS engagement for naval operations. The opportunity has a higher funding ceiling than typically offered by the Navy.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: U.S. small businesses (fewer than 500 employees, majority U.S.-owned) at any stage of C-UAS development. Principal investigator must be primarily employed by the company. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows phase I: Up to $315,000; Phase II: ~$1,000,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was July 22, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Open Topic (C-UAS Opportunity) (DON26BX03-NP002) is funded by Department of the Navy (NAVAIR and NAVSEA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
The Department of the Navy pre-released FY26 Release 3 SBIR/STTR on June 3, 2026 — 12 BAA topics and one Commercial Solutions Opening for Counter-Unmanned Air Systems. Topics span adaptive sensor management, anomalous behavior detection, satellite imagery optimization, real-time zero-trust data for combat systems, and gun weapon systems modernization. Technical questions cut off June 23. Proposals open June 24 and close July 22. NAVAIR and NAVSEA co-host a Counter-UAS webinar June 16. Phase I funding tops out at $315,000. The CSO open topic for AI-powered drone defense is the structural news: it's the first time NAVAIR has used a CSO vehicle to fund counter-drone work outside the conventional Phase I/II structure, and it changes how small businesses can engage with the Navy's most urgent capability gap.
Read articleOn June 3, the Department of the Navy pre-released FY26 Release 3 SBIR/STTR — 12 conventional BAA topics and a Counter-Unmanned Air Systems Commercial Solutions Opening. Topics span adaptive sensor management, anomalous behavior detection, satellite imagery optimization, real-time zero-trust data for combat systems, and gun weapon systems modernization. The proposal window runs June 24 to July 22, 2026. The technical questions cutoff is June 23. NAVAIR and NAVSEA are hosting a Counter-UAS webinar on June 16. Here is what the topic mix actually signals about Navy priorities and how small businesses should position.
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