The Hatch Report (Issue #25)

Mar 31, 2025

1) Army RFQ for Tactical sUASs Meeting or Exceeding Teal 2 Specs

Seeking DIU Blue UAS–listed systems with FLIR Hadron 640R EO/IR sensors, 720p AES-256 encrypted downlink, AI-enabled 3D mapping, and multi-target ISR capabilities. Must deliver 30+ min flight time, 5 km range, and operate in all weather. U.S.-designed, built, and serviced with Buy American compliance and country-of-origin certification. Likely intended for units near Fort Drum.

Quote Deadline: April 2

2) DARPA Solicitation for FLUID (FLexible networking Using Intelligent Dialecting)

Software prototypes to reduce C5ISRT system transmission loads in DDIL environments. Solutions must re-encode, suppress, or transform application and network-layer messages—including protocol overhead—without altering or replacing existing software. Effort includes integration with Army or Navy systems and four test events over 18 months, each with progressively tighter bandwidth constraints and expanded node counts.

Response Deadline: Abstracts due April 21. Written proposals (by invitation) due ~June 13, 2025.

3) Army Cancels Modern Software Delivery (MSD) IDIQ Effort

Initiated in May 2024, the MSD effort was conceived as a 10-year, $10B contact vehicle to overhaul Army software acquisition through agile development, modular architectures, dynamic vendor on/off-ramping, and a streamlined ATO process. Key stakeholders included PEO EIS, DASA-DES, and the Digital Capabilities Contracting Center of Excellence (DC3oE).

Formally paused in February 2025 after sustained industry resistance. Concerns centered on cost-plus contracting—seen as favoring large integrators—government-unique cost accounting burdens, vague security provisions, and onerous demo expectations. Led to industry uncertainty/skepticism around the long-term ROI.

Notice Updated: March 27

4) MDA Summit on Next-Generation Capabilities for Golden Dome

MDA/USSF hosting FY25 Next-Gen Missile Defense Summit on April 29 at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. One-day unclass event focused on Golden Dome for America initiative. Briefings to industry—especially non-traditional contractors—on emerging capability needs, acquisition/contracting processes, and tech priorities.

Registration Deadline: April 4 (or earlier if capacity is met).

5) DARPA Program Announcement for MTO Pitch Day Solicitation

In-person on July 25. Short-term research efforts focused on unconventional computing, biologically inspired microsystems, and commercially catalyzed defense deployment.

Goal is to attract new and non-traditional performers—especially small businesses and academic teams—with potential for breakthrough microsystems research. Proposers may receive up to $400k via a streamlined OT award process, with decisions made within five business days of Pitch Day.

Selected abstracts will be invited for oral presentations; proposals must be unclassified and submitted through DARPA's BAAT system.

Abstract Deadline: April 23

6) DISA RFP for Electromagnetic Battle Management Joint Situational Awareness (EMBM-J SA)

Soliciting proposals for comprehensive software development, engineering, cybersecurity, and program management support. Includes Agile DevSecOps delivery of situational awareness tools for electromagnetic spectrum operations, integration across classified networks, and expanded data fusion from diverse EMS sources.

The contract will transition from capability development to long-term sustainment, with potential optional tasks including cloud migration and LVC training support.

Structured as a best-value trade-off under a non-commercial contract. Emphasis placed on small business participation (minimum 25%) and facility clearance sponsorship.

Proposal Deadline: April 23

7) AFRL RFI for C2 - SPACE ISR (C2-SpISR)

Seeking feedback to shape a follow-on effort supporting R&D, integration, and sustainment of C2 and Space ISR software systems under the GARDEM 2 framework.

GARDEM 2 (Global Application Research, Development, Engineering, and Maintenance) is the USAF’s enterprise software platform for developing modular, mission-critical tools that support C2, data fusion, and decision support across domains.

Response Deadline: Not specified (early engagement for acquisition planning).

8) PEO STRI Technical Exchange for Synthetic Training Environment Software (STE-SW)

Taking place on April 1 in Orlando, FL. Seeking participation from CTOs and Chief Engineers in a market research and technical exchange forum to guide adoption of commercial technologies for future Army simulation environments.

Discussion topics include cloud-native infrastructure, game engines, data fabrics, scalable models, and open APIs for rapid capability deployment. Emphasizes MOSA, AI, data centricity, and continuous integration/delivery as core transformation themes. Offers an early opportunity to influence the Army’s STE-SW roadmap.

9) Marine Corps Intelligence Activity RFI for Geospatial Support Services

Seeking industry input on capabilities to provide on-site geospatial analysis, application development, and web-based dissemination support.

Requires expertise with ESRI platforms, secure system integration, data management, and classified environment operations. Active TS Facility Clearance and SCI-eligible personnel required.

Response Deadline: April 16

10) Marine Corps Systems Command RFI for Modernization of Online Project Information Center (TOPIC)

Seeking capabilities to redesign a centralized acquisition data platform using PowerApps and SharePoint Framework. Requires support for system rebuild, enhanced user interface, automated analytics, dashboard development, API integration, and administrator training.

Update: Q&A was posted on March 27

11) National Security Innovation Capital Commercial Acceleration Opportunity for Dual-Use Hardware Startups

Seeks early-stage U.S. hardware startups developing dual-use technologies (TRL 3+) for prototype funding under OTA authority. Focus on firms with angel-to-seed backing and no major VC; must align to DIU portfolios (AI, autonomy, cyber, energy, space, etc.).

Three submission tracks: New to NSIC/DIU; “Portaled” via prior DIU Commercial Solutions Opening; or Currently under NSIC/DIU agreement.

Response Deadline: Rolling, contingent on FY25 funding availability.

12) MDA Multiple Authority Announcement

Seeking innovative missile defense concepts and tech in the areas of hypersonic interceptors, AI-enabled C2, non-kinetic systems, and space-based sensing.

Serves as a five-year umbrella for future solicitations, leveraging multiple contracting pathways (FAR, OTAs, TIAs, CRADAs, grants) to match technical maturity with flexible acquisition strategies.

No responses accepted to this notice; individual solicitations with defined scope, timeline, and funding will be issued on a rolling basis.

13) U.S. Army Evaluation Center RFI for Advisory, Test, and Evaluation Support Services (AECSS Recompete)

Seeking input related to a forthcoming M-DIQ contract for Army test and evaluation advisory services. Supports over 900 acquisition programs across all stages of development. Requires deep expertise across mission areas such as cyber, AI/ML, EW, C5ISR, munitions, and Soldier systems. Notably includes planned on-ramp and off-ramp mechanisms to maintain competitive access and allow new entrants at multiple points over the 7-year ordering period.

Response Deadline: TBD (draft PWS released for industry planning).

14) F-35 Joint Program Office Presolicitation for Follow-on Modernization Block 5 Upgrades

Scope includes “assessments and evaluations of the F-35 Air System’s ability to meet future operational requirements”. While this is a sole-source effort, the notice encourages subcontracting interest from capable vendors seeking to support F-35 modernization through Lockheed Martin.

Response Deadline: April 15

Contract Awards

15) USSOCOM awards Cherokee Insights $38.2M bridge contract for incumbent-delivered cUAS CCMD support

One-year effort to maintain Group 1–3 drone defense capabilities supporting SOF across multiple CCMDs. Cherokee Insights serves as the small biz prime and is expected to subcontract to the incumbent tech provider named in the redacted J&A.

The J&A cites a sole-source vendor with previously fielded systems, embedded SOF support teams, and significant private investment.

Funding source and obligation at award are not disclosed.

16) DIU awards Cyberhill Partners undisclosed amount for AI-based biosurveillance prototype

Cyberhill, in partnership with data.world and KUNGFU.AI, will deliver an AI-powered platform to improve DoD biosurveillance and biological threat detection. Selected from 78 submissions. Effort is sponsored by OASD(NCB) and led by the Chemical and Biological Defense Program.

Secure infrastructure, graph-based analytics, and real-time threat ID. Prototype to be tested in simulated threat environments.Industry Activity

17) Army Futures Command awards Raytheon undisclosed follow-on for campaign modeling environment

Raytheon will continue supporting the Futures and Concepts Center with its Rapid Campaign Analysis and Demonstration Environment (RCADE). Enables sustained use of RCADE to simulate large-scale, multi-domain conflict scenarios and support iterative force design experimentation.

Capability supports continuous feedback loops between concept developers, Battle Labs, and operational data. RCADE integrates modeling, simulation, and real-world threat data to test concepts of operation under dynamic conditions.

18) Army awards V2X position on $921M BEST MAC IDIQ for Tactical Engagement Simulation Systems (TESS) sustainment

Ten-year PoP to maintain and upgrade systems used in live force-on-force training. Covers devices mounted on weapons, vehicles, and aircraft.

V2X also performing on Warfighter-Training Readiness Solutions task order, valued at up to $3.7B over five years. Supports global training operations and sustainment of the Army’s Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (TADSS) inventory. Awarded under the TSS-E Mission Support Services IDIQ.

19) Space Systems Command adds Rocket Lab and Stoke Space to $5.6B IDIQ for NSS Launch Phase 3

Selected via FY25 Lane 1 on-ramp. Now eligible to compete for task orders delivering national security payloads to orbit. Ordering window runs through June 2029, with optional five-year extension. $10M in FY25 space procurement funds obligated to cover minimum guarantees across all awardees. Contract Type: Multiple-award, firm-fixed-price IDIQ.

20) Army awards Torch Technologies $11M for simulation support to S3I Directorate

Contract modification for ongoing R&D effort. Torch provides modeling and simulation support to the Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering, and Integration (S3I) Directorate. S3I is the Army’s lead organization for software and systems engineering within the Aviation and Missile Center at Redstone Arsenal.

$1.3M in FY25 RDT&E funds obligated. PoP through Feb 2026.

21) Space Systems Command awards Boeing $9.2M cost-plus-fixed-fee mod for ESS Rapid Prototyping study

Funds special study for architecture trades, technical maturation, and systems engineering on strategic comms constellation. Supports design feasibility assessment for future space segment. Brings total contract value to $399M. Work in El Segundo through May 2025. Funding: FY25 RDT&E.

22) Peterson SFB awards Georgia Tech $9M for legacy radar mission computer integration

Contract modification supports design, test, and fielding of mission computer upgrades to interface with legacy signal processors and radar diagnostics. Follows termination of prior signal processor upgrade effort.

$37M total contract value. RDT&E funds from FY24–25. Work runs through June 2026.

Industry Activity

23) Raytheon leads autonomous missile launcher demo at Army’s Project Convergence

Raytheon built both the missile and launcher; Forterra contributed autonomy capabilities; Oshkosh supplied the vehicle platform; and Ursa Major provided the rocket motor. Next steps include expanded testing of autonomy for both offensive and defensive applications.

THR’s Take:

Closely resembles USMC’s ROGUE Fires program, which integrates Forterra’s AutoDrive autonomy suite onto JLTV-based launchers equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (originally developed by Norway’s Kongsberg and brought to the U.S. via Raytheon). USMC investing $30M to enhance autonomous navigation, with Oshkosh expected to deliver 48 systems later this summer.

While the Army and USMC are pursuing different payloads tailored to their respective mission sets, coordinating acquisition strategies could unlock significant operational and industrial benefits. Ideally, both efforts would align under a unified, open system-level architecture—spanning common platforms, a modular launcher, autonomy stack, sensors, and software. This framework would streamline software updates and subsystem upgrades, simplify integration of current and future payloads (e.g., the Army’s anti-ship PrSM variant), and allow end users to swap effectors—all while consolidating training and sustainment.

Such an approach would also signal stronger aggregate demand to industry—encouraging IRAD investment, bolstering supply chain resilience, and lowering unit costs through EOQ efficiencies. Like the F-35 model, a shared foundation could incentivize foreign partners to develop their own payloads, expanding an interoperable user base over time. A larger FMS community would further reduce costs and enhance coalition logistics and operational flexibility across theaters.

Operationally, the vision is compelling: autonomous launchers forward-deployed and tasked to predesignated waypoints, firing based on initial targeting cues, with third-party ISR-T assets taking over after launch to provide in-flight and terminal guidance. After firing, the system autonomously displaces to a resupply or concealment location. If the autonomy stack continues to mature, BMC2 integration becomes more seamless, and signature management challenges in contested environments are addressed, these systems could deliver outsized combat power with a dramatically smaller manpower footprint—enabling distributed formations to punch well above their weight.

This becomes especially critical in an increasingly resource-constrained environment marked by budget pressures and recruiting shortfalls. That said, technology maturation is only part of the equation. Equally important is the parallel development of CONOPS and doctrine—particularly around sustainment and integration into broader force structures.

24) Cerberus acquires Votaw to bolster space and undersea hardware capacity

The acquisition was made through Cerberus’ Supply Chain and Strategic Opportunities platform, which focuses on shoring up critical industrial base capabilities by investing in suppliers that address national security-related shortfalls—particularly in defense manufacturing, infrastructure, and logistics. The platform seeks to build resilient, agile capacity aligned with U.S. and allied mission needs.

Votaw operates a 210,000 sq. ft. vertically integrated facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA, offering machining, fabrication, large assembly, and finishing for defense and aerospace programs. The company supports both legacy and next-gen platforms across launch vehicles, satellites, undersea vessels, and ground systems.

25) PDW unveils virtual training system for drone operators

Performance Drone Works has introduced PDW SIM, a simulation platform enabling sUAS teams to rehearse missions in realistic, variable environments. Built on real-world geospatial data and accurate flight physics, it supports training for signal interference, battery constraints, and other mission-critical factors. Integrates with ATAK and other C2 platforms. Cuts training time by 50%, cost by 88%.

26) Natilus initiates U.S. site search for blended-wing aircraft production

Company launching 250,000 sq ft facility to build KONA regional cargo aircraft—60 units per year, 300 employees. Next phase involves a 2.5 million sq ft site to produce HORIZON, a 200-passenger blended-wing aircraft in the Boeing 737/Airbus A320 class. Facility expected to come online in the early 2030s and employ ~3,000. Phase II site discussions underway with the U.S., UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia.

Founded 2016. Based in San Diego. Over 570 aircraft preordered across product line.

27) Quantum Systems Unveils Vector™ AI sUAS

Vector AI is a next-gen tactical sUAS system built for GPS- and comms-denied environments. Features dual onboard NVIDIA Jetson Orin processors for object recognition, automated target tracking, and adaptive mission execution. >3-hour flight endurance. Modular payload bay supports ISR, SIGINT, and EW sensors; MOSA-compliant and compatible with ATAK, CoT, and major BMS platforms. Integrated Silvus Spectrum Dominance tech provides hardened C2 links.

Developed by Quantum-Systems Inc., the U.S.-based subsidiary of Germany’s Quantum-Systems GmbH.

28) Star Catcher demos space power beaming system at EverBank Stadium

First end-to-end ground test of wireless energy transmission for satellites.
Proved ability to beam solar power 100+ meters to standard satellite solar panels—no retrofits required. Validates key tech for future Star Catcher Network, an in-space energy grid for continuous satellite power.

Follow-on demo planned for summer at Space Florida's LLF: 1km range, hundreds of watts, multiple targets.

Jacksonville-based. Founded 2024. $12.25M seed round (July 2024) co-led by Initialized Capital and B Capital. AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 awardee.

29) XTI Aerospace prices $4M public offering to repay debt, fund operations

Advanced aircraft developer XTI Aerospace raised ~$4M through an underwritten public offering of common stock and warrants. Proceeds will support general corporate purposes and fully repay secured promissory notes.

XTI is developing the TriFan 600, a hybrid VTOL business aircraft with 345 mph speed and 700-mile range.

It also owns Inpixon, which provides real-time location systems (RTLS) used in factories and industrial sites to improve safety and productivity.

Shares and warrants priced at $1.36 each; warrants exercisable for five years. ThinkEquity served as sole bookrunner.

30) Lockheed Martin and Google Cloud partner to integrate gen AI for national security

Lockheed will integrate Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform into its AI Factory to accelerate development and deployment of secure, high-assurance AI models for defense applications.

Vertex AI provides tools to build, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs with built-in support for security, data governance, and deployment in isolated (air-gapped) environments.

Lockheed’s AI Factory is an internal platform that manages AI model development, monitoring, and lifecycle across mission areas—ensuring traceability, reliability, and compliance.

Signals growing momentum among A&D primes to embed commercial LLM infrastructure into classified and mission-specific workflows through trusted partnerships.

31) NIWC Pacific Sole Source J&A to Trillium Engineering ($6.9M) for Unmanned Systems Software Support

Continues support of a proprietary software environment used in Navy unmanned systems operations. The effort includes software maintenance, integration, data updates, and enhancements tied to current and future mission needs. Trillium is identified as the only responsible source due to its ownership of the technical baseline and required software IP. Supports NIWC Pacific’s mission to sustain safe and effective unmanned system operations while preserving optionality for future competition as new technologies mature.

32) HawkEye 360 joins Space Force Commercial Integration Cell to bolster space domain awareness

The space-based signals intelligence company has joined the Commercial Integration Cell (CIC), a Space Force initiative under the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The CIC facilitates real-time coordination between U.S. Space Command and commercial providers of space capabilities.

HawkEye 360 will contribute RF signal detection, interference tracking, and threat warning analytics to enhance satellite resilience.

CIC enables direct integration of commercial data and services into Space Command’s operational picture.

Reflects growing trend of commercial ISR adoption in military space ops.

33) Lynx selected by Bell to provide OS for Army FLRAA program

Lynx provides deterministic, safety-critical OS platforms for aerospace and defense. Its MOSA.ic architecture supports both Intel- and Arm-based systems on the same aircraft—aligning with Army Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) goals. Enables faster reconfiguration, component reuse, and reduces recertification burden.

34) iBase-t unveils AI tool to digitize A&D manufacturing records

iBase-t has launched Solumina ScanAI, an AI-powered document digitization tool designed to eliminate paper-based bottlenecks in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Integrated into its Solumina Manufacturing Operations Platform, the tool uses OCR and AI to convert work instructions, SOPs, and other records into structured digital data. Targets compliance, labor savings, and operational efficiency.

Enables faster integration of legacy documentation into modern digital workflows. Prototype to debut at iBase-t’s Excelerate User Conference, March 31–April 3.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, CA. Customers include Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney.

*DISCLAIMER / CAVEATS

This newsletter is not associated with any other person, organization, or entity.
Please respond to this email if you feel a correction is warranted.
Please respond to this email if you have any feedback or recommendations.