The Hatch Report (Issue #15)
RFIs/RFPs
1) Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) Solicitation: Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Background:
Seeking six sUASs to replace divested RQ-7 Shadow drones.
Requirements:
Category: Group 1 (non-weaponized, multirotor, under 20 lbs)
Capabilities: ISR support, IR/thermal imaging, encrypted communications
Compliance: DIU Blue UAS List, NDAA & TAA compliant, Advanced Encryption Standard, Tactical Open Government Architecture (TOGA) compatible
Performance: At least 30 minutes endurance with payload
Durability: IP53 certified (dust and rain resistant)
Submission Deadline: Jan 7
THR’s Take
In Feb 2024, the Army announced plans to divest the RQ-7 Shadows by Sep 2024. This purportedly created an ISR capability gap until 2027, when the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS) is scheduled to begin Brigade-level deployment. To address this, the Army turned to DIU’s Blue UAS list as a stopgap. However, as of October 2024, no Group-3 offerings appear on the Blue UAS list.
In a recent Breaking Defense article, the Army’s Capability Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems stated:
“We probably can’t put something as large as a Shadow on the DIU Blue List, like a Group 3 that weighs a couple thousand pounds, because that would probably be … over $350,000.”
This raises several critical questions:
Cost Cap on the Blue UAS List: Is there a specific dollar threshold or cost cap to qualify for the Blue UAS list? If so, this should be revisited to account for Group-3 systems.
ISR Implications: Are there separate plans to replace the RQ-7 Shadow with a comparable Group-3 UAS? If not, what are the ISR implications? While it’s possible this solicitation is intended for testing and evaluation purposes, the wording strongly suggests these Group 1 sUASs are being positioned as a direct replacement for the Group 3 RQ-7.
Broader Coordination: I suspect other ARNG units are also replacing their RQ-7 Shadows. If so, is there a unified approach to addressing these needs, or is each ARNG unit handling this individually? Additionally, how well-coordinated are these efforts between the Guard and the Active Component?
NOTE: It’s worth noting the Army recently selected Red Cat’s Small Teal drone for its SSR Tranche II requirement, which closely aligns with the MSARNG’s UAS product description. Additionally, the Army also selected the Ghost X from Anduril Industries and the C-100 from PDW for its Company-Level UAS program.
Business Implications of Tranche-Based Procurement: DoD is starting to embrace tranche-based procurement for certain weapons system categories, including unmanned systems, as an alternative to traditional multi-decade, winner-take-all contracts. While this shift creates more opportunities for companies to compete over time, it could also present significant business challenges.
Shorter contracts can hinder newer companies by making it difficult to secure the CapEx needed to rapidly scale manufacturing capacity and respond to demand surges. Building this capacity often requires long-term ROI assurance, which tranche-based procurements may not provide.
This dichotomy surfaced during a September 16 HASC hearing on Industry Views of DoD Acquisition. Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith highlighted the “contradiction” between ensuring a sufficient demand signal and maintaining budget flexibility, questioning how both can coexist.
Part of the solution may lie in DIU’s recently launched “Blue Manufacturing” initiative. This program aims to create a roster of pre-approved commercial manufacturing facilities meeting DoD standards for military production. By offering access to advanced manufacturing capabilities, the initiative could help newer companies address some scaling challenges.
All that said, this is an area that requires a deeper and more focused discussion.
2) WHS/AD: SSN for Comptroller XML Exhibits Tool
Background: DTIC’s Comptroller XML Exhibits (CXE) tool is used by over 600 DoD customers to prepare and submit budget exhibits to Congress.
Request: Seeking a contractor with expertise in maintaining, updating, and troubleshooting the tool.
Submission Deadline: 10 Jan.
THR’s Take: A year ago, DoD released its implementation plan for the PPBE Commission’s interim report recommendations. Recommendation 11 calls for creating classified and unclassified information-sharing enclaves between DoD and Congress. Key applications include delivering the PB request and justification materials via Advana, a searchable, sortable database supported by a J-book Common Data Model (CDM) and automated uploads from all DoD components, and enabling Congress to provide data to DoD in digestible formats, such as marks and reporting requirements.
These efforts to enhance transparency are essential as DoD and reform advocates push for greater budget flexibility and a capability-aligned portfolio approach. I’m curious about the implementation status and whether enough time has passed to evaluate metrics like time and money saved on congressional inquiries or reduced inquiries due to a shared database. Additionally, it would be interesting to see how DTIC’s CXE tool aligns with these broader reform efforts.
3) USAF D2P2 SBIR: Long Kill Chain via Secure Private Clouds
Funding: $1.4M
Period of Performance: 24 months
Open: January 8
Close: February 5
Key elements of the technical approach include:
StarlingX Infrastructure: As a cloud-native, Kubernetes, container-based project, StarlingX offers a fully featured open-source distributed cloud platform that is well-suited for supporting edge applications. The integration of StarlingX will provide a flexible, reliable, and easily scalable foundation for the proposed private communications network.
Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN): O-RAN is aimed at transforming traditional RAN architectures to create a more flexible and interoperable network infrastructure. By leveraging O-RAN, the proposed solution will enable seamless integration of existing wireless technologies like 4G and 5G with traditional radio communications used in weapon-to-weapon communications. Moreover, O-RAN's emphasis on interoperability is essential in creating a robust network that can operate effectively in contested environments.
Perpetual Flight UAV: To facilitate and route communications from various sources, additional hardware, and computational power are needed near the edge. To meet this requirement, the Perpetual Flight UAV, an uncrewed solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight and supporting a payload of up to 800 pounds, is proposed as a centralized router and communications node. The UAV can maintain a persistent presence in remote or challenging environments, ensuring continuous communication availability for critical operations.
Edge Device to UAV Router Integration: A cloud-native integration platform with a plug-and-play approach will enable the easy and verifiable creation of interfaces between various communication vehicles. This platform will allow for seamless integration and deployment of different communication systems on the centralized router. The solution will also provide the necessary tools for integrating the Edge device with the UAV router to ensure a reliable and secure connection.
4) USAF D2P2 SBIR: Small unmanned aerial system low-level command system
Funding: $1.4M
Period of Performance: 24 months
Open: January 8
Close: February 5
Objective: Create a flight control system (FLCS) for small drones (sUAS) that can handle more advanced commands. This system will:
Connect autonomy software to drones so they can mimic the flight behavior of other aircraft.
Allow the software to fly the drone safely within its limits, stepping in to prevent crashes if needed.
Make it faster and safer to test new software before using it on full-sized aircraft.
Background: Testing autonomous flight software is expensive and slow because it relies on large aircraft or simple commands like waypoints. To perform advanced maneuvers (like dogfighting or long-range missions), drones need more detailed controls (e.g., roll, pitch, and throttle).
Right now, only the VISTA platform (used for F-16s) can handle this kind of testing, and there is no similar solution for small drones. This gap makes testing new software harder and more expensive.
By creating a system for drones to handle these commands, this project will:
Lower the cost of testing.
Speed up how quickly new software can be tested in the air.
Help developers create more advanced and reliable flight autonomy.
5) DEVCOM C5ISR: Call For White Papers: Predictive Intelligent Networking Cyber (PIN-Cyber)
Background: Current defensive cybersecurity operations are largely reactive, relying on SIEM and SOAR processes to respond to threats after detection. The goal is to develop and demonstrate a proactive system at TRL 6, capable of testing and verification in tactical IT environments, with potential integration into Army PoRs.
Request: Proactive and preemptive network defenses suitable for deployment at the tactical edge, targeting technologies between TRL 3 and TRL 6. Commercial products that cannot currently meet DDIL tactical Army network constraints as is may be considered if justified as TRL 5 or lower when applied to these environments.
Submission Deadline: 10 Jan
6) DARPA Special Notice: Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS)
Background: RoQS aims to integrate high-performance quantum sensors into DoD platforms. Current limitations include performance degradation in dynamic environments due to external disturbances. RoQS will explore novel physics-based solutions to overcome these challenges.
Request: Identify suitable DoD systems for quantum sensor integration. Define government platforms, stakeholders, requirements, and Programs of Record to facilitate end-of-program integration and testing.
Submission Deadline: 24 Jan.
7) Army D2P2 SBIR: AI/ML-Enabled Voice-Commanded Autonomous Maneuver for Ground Combat Vehicles
Funding: $2M
Period of Performance: 18 months
Open: January 8
Close: February 5
Request: Develop a prototype enabling ground combat vehicles to execute autonomous maneuvers based on natural language commands. Targeted capabilities include:
Moving to known or unknown waypoints.
Tactical repositioning (e.g., fire-and-displace or "shoot-and-scoot").
Turret operations (e.g., traverse, elevate, slew-to-cue).
Coordination with other vehicles in multi-vehicle operations.
Background:
Autonomous maneuver and natural language processing technologies independently operate at TRL 6.
Integration of these technologies is estimated at TRL 3.
By the end of Phase II, integration is expected to achieve TRL 5 with low risk.
8) USAF P1 SBIR: LLM for Assessment of Cognitive Warfare Effectiveness in Competition
Funding: $140k
Period of Performance: 6 months
Open: 8 Jan
Close: 2 Feb
Request: Develop and demonstrate an LLM-enabled AI software that integrates quantitative and qualitative data from multimedia sources (text, audio, visuals) to enhance decision-making in information operations. The software should provide first-person ("emic") perspectives of target populations, focusing on contextualized sentiment analysis linked to regional events, actors, and messages. Deliverables include:
A proof-of-concept tool capable of collecting, analyzing, and assessing real or synthetic data across multiple media vectors.
Disaggregated sentiment detection and region-specific data encoding.
A feasibility study using research tools (e.g., MTurk) to validate models and user interface impact.
A lexicon of indicators embedded in the software or as a separate product.
Supporting materials like datasets, reports on modeling techniques, algorithms, and a visualization dashboard showcasing population insights.
Background: The speed and volume of information in modern operations outpace human processing, complicating situational awareness and planning. Current tools lack the ability to understand subjective human perspectives, essential for effective cognitive warfare strategies. This effort aims to fill the gap by creating a tool that integrates advanced AI to provide dynamic, actionable insights into regional sentiments and potential responses, supporting operations in conflict, deterrence, and competition.
9) PM Soldier Lethality Sources Sought: Sig Sauer model firearms and accessories
Request: Seeking potential sources to supply various Sig Sauer model firearms, magazines, suppressors, associated spare parts, tools, and training. Models of interest include P226, P320, MPX, MCX, SIGM400, SIG516, and SIG716, as well as associated system suppressors.
NOTE: I am not aware of the SIG M400, 516, and 716 being fielded by U.S. forces. This could be for an FMS customer or for testing and evaluation purposes.
Submission Deadline: 24 Jan.
10) PM Combat Ammunition Systems Sources Sought: 155mm Modular Artillery for Combat Effectiveness (MACE)
Request: Seeking material and manufacturing solutions for 155mm projectile bodies capable of delivering multiple lethal and nonlethal payloads (up to 17 inches long) to ranges of 30–35 km from 39-caliber artillery systems. Key requirements include:
Compatibility: Must work with legacy propellants and currently fielded 39-caliber weapons, with adaptability for future 52-caliber howitzers and propellants.
Development Timeline:
Achieve System Design Review and TRL 6 demonstration within 18 months to assess design maturity.
Complete qualification for production readiness within 36 months of contract award.
Production Capability: Future production rates of up to 150,000 projectile bodies per year.
Submission Deadline: Pushed back from Jan 13 to Jan 27.
Industry Activity
11) NGA plans to extend SynMax, Inc.'s contract for Maritime Domain Awareness by 6 months, valued at $930k (TCV)
Capability Overview: SynMax's proprietary AI/ML Theia platform leverages unclassified EO/SAR imagery to automatically detect, classify, geo-locate, and track vessels.
Key features include:
Processing 22 million km² of ocean imagery daily.
Outperforming government computer vision algorithms.
Detecting 30,345 ship-to-ship events via imagery, 184,874 via AIS, and 13,140 AIS spoofing instances within 4.5 months of the original contract award.
Delivering 64% of detections within 1 hour and 79% within 2 hours.
Fingerprinting vessels for historical imagery access and predicting future vessel paths.
AIS spoofing detection, including estimated true vessel locations.
Theia is operational across 12 NSG organizations and supports hundreds of analysts.
Note: A full and open competition is underway for the Luno B Multiple Award IDIQ. Future Maritime Domain Awareness efforts, including those under HM157524C0003, will be competed under this framework, allowing other vendors to demonstrate capabilities and submit offers.
12) Palantir and Anduril reportedly building a tech consortium to bid on defense contracts
The goal, the FT says, is to challenge the dominance of “prime” defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing. One unnamed participant described this as an effort to “provide a new generation of defense contractors,” while another said this would be a more efficient way to sell the government cutting-edge weapons and other tech.
THR’s Take
As we approach 2025, this story prompted some broader thoughts on how budgetary and political dynamics will shape opportunities for new defense entrants.
With fiscal hawks likely to wield greater influence in the next administration and Congress, the defense budget is unlikely to meaningfully grow—and may even shrink. New defense entrants will need to secure a larger share of this constrained budget to meet ambitious revenue goals.
This will require serious consideration of politically sensitive trade-space decisions, including:
Canceling or reducing entrenched programs: Programs of record that are misaligned with future combat needs or unlikely to deliver at scale within the next decade could face cuts or cancellations.
Shifting resources from RDT&E to Procurement: This reallocation could come at the expense of DoD’s influential laboratory enterprise.
Capping or reducing force structure and pay increases: Personnel costs remain a major budget driver, and cuts in this area may be necessary to free up funds.
Scaling back the 4th estate: Reducing overhead and administrative costs will remain a contentious but critical area of focus.
The extent to which the DoD and Congress embrace these trade-offs will likely determine the size and number of successful new defense entrants. Achieving this will require key stakeholders in DoD and Congress to align with the following principles:
Form Follows Function: Fully embrace new operational concepts designed around the systems and capabilities offered by these emerging defense entrants.
The Current Approach Is Untenable: The Services' existing modernization strategies are predicated on unrealistic long-term budgetary assumptions, necessitating a shift to a more pragmatic, resource-informed approach.
Acquisition and Requirements Reform:
Adopt adaptive requirements and acquisition pathways.
Streamline funding with “colorless money” tied to capability portfolios.
Empower operational units and Combatant Commanders to have greater influence over requirements and procurement decisions.
Transition away from multi-decade, winner-take-all contracts in favor of frequent tranche buys and "anything-as-a-service" models.
The Role of Advocacy and Public Engagement
While progress has been made in gaining senior leaders' support for some of these principles, there is still much work to be done. Beyond traditional lobbying, both new defense entrants and established primes must carefully consider how to effectively engage in the public-facing information environment—an arena that the new administration and Congress seem to monitor more closely.
This means moving beyond conventional tools like think tank reports, conference panels, and defense-focused op-eds to craft and drive compelling narratives.
Viral social media campaigns, which leverage relevant influencers to generate public pressure, may prove more impactful than traditional contributions to reelection campaigns. Companies must balance traditional lobbying with these modern PR strategies. This will be an interesting space to watch.