The Hatch Report (Issue #27)
DoD Opportunities
1. Army PM UAS Sources Sought: Purpose-Built Attritable Systems (PBAS) FPV sUAS
Must be a low-cost (attritable), commercially available solution.
Total system must be easy for Army maneuver elements at the small unit level to deploy and incorporate modular payloads
Primary mission: RSTA; secondary: comms relay; enhanced mission set of lethal payload delivery and electronic support.
Solutions must comply with NDAA Sec. 848/817 and the American Security Drone Act—or show a clear path toward compliance.
May inform future demonstrations and procurement decisions
Vendors must request the submission package by May 2 to be eligible
Response Deadline: May 8
2. AFSOC/SOCOM RFI: Multi-Domain Comms & Data Relay Payloads for Group 2/3 sUAS
sUAS System Program Office (SPO) leading this effort
Payloads will enable Group 2/3 UASs to serve as airborne C2 nodes, enabling smaller sUASs to carry out swarm operations in DDIL / contested environments
Payloads of interest include radios, datalinks, and antennas that support resilient, multi-node mesh networking and data relay
Must handle a range of traffic from simple status messages to full-motion video
Government seeks MOSA-compliant, TRL 7+ solutions ready for integration and fielding within 18–30 months
May inform future acquisition strategies, recurring upgrade cycles, and AFSOC/SOCOM tech refresh planning
Response Deadline: May 25
3. Space Development Agency Solicitation: Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture – Tranche 3 Tracking Layer (T3TRK)
Solicits OTA proposals to develop and deliver 18 infrared-equipped satellites per award (in two orbital planes of 9), supporting global missile warning, tracking, and fire-control quality missile defense in low Earth orbit
SDA intends to make up to three awards for 54 total satellites, using MW/MT and MWTD payload variants; each submission must include integrated ground systems (NOVA), launch prep, and five years of O&M support
Enables stereoscopic global coverage of conventional and advanced missile threats—including hypersonic systems—via on-orbit IR processing, crosslink networking, and optical ground backhaul
Part of SDA’s spiral development model using commoditized space vehicles and interoperable architectures to accelerate fielding of resilient missile warning and defense layers
Response Deadline: May 22
4. Army Futures Command Special Notice: Synchronized Persistent Army Experimentation (SPARX)
SPARX is the Army’s principal entry point for industry technologies seeking evaluation through live and lab-based experimentation aligned with modernization goals
Streamlines engagement by allowing vendors to submit a standardized Technology Overview, enabling early SME review and easier integration into Army experimentation events
Designed to match innovative solutions to multi-domain exercises across land, air, sea, space, and cyber, while synchronizing Army tech scouting through DEVCOM-managed review
Open submission window through 2030; technologies may be selected for current or future fiscal year events depending on readiness and relevance
Response Deadline: April 14, 2030
5. DARPA ARC Opportunity: Methodological Advancements for Generalizable Insights into Complex Systems (MAGICS)
Aims to fundamentally rethink how we model and predict human behavior in real-world systems—where current data-driven and machine learning methods routinely fail due to the complexity, unpredictability, and constantly evolving nature of social and behavioral dynamics
Seeks to improve prediction of large-scale, collective human behaviors—such as economic adaptation, population-level shifts, social movement emergence, identity formation, and feedback-driven decision-making in open, reactive environments
Encourages new methods that identify the limits of inference from messy, real-world data and create frameworks capable of adapting to reflexive, non-repeatable, and time-sensitive human systems
Solicits exploratory 12-month research concepts to develop novel models, metrics, and theory that integrate behavioral science, psychometrics, and computational tools
Total cost per award capped at $300K; abstract-only phase with potential oral proposal invitations; funded via Research Other Transactions
Response Deadline: July 10
6. DIU Commercial Solutions Opening: Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP)
Seeks demonstration-ready uncrewed maritime platforms with long-range, high-payload capabilities to address current UUV limitations in contested and GPS-denied environments
Desired mission sets include seabed payload emplacement, bathymetric mapping, ISR, and air-water interface comms; modularity, autonomy, and deep-water performance (>200m) are key attributes
Platforms should support payloads up to 21ft in length, integrate with third-party control systems and modeling tools, and demonstrate paths toward UMAA and ATO compliance for secure operation
Partial solutions encouraged, with strong preference for teaming; Phase 2 will include live in-water demos, and awards will follow DIU CSO framework under 10 U.S.C. § 4022
Response Deadline: May 1
7. DIU/AUKUS Innovation Challenge: Undersea Communications and Autonomy (2025)
Trilateral DIU/DASA/ASCA competition seeking technologies to enable near real-time undersea communications and adaptive coordination among UUVs, seabed nodes, and C2 systems
Successful proposals should address dynamic mission re-planning, secure data at rest/transit, dived navigation, and large data transfers from long range with low detectability
Up to $8M in total funding available; expected TRL 6 minimum and 12-month prototype delivery culminating in demonstration during a multinational maritime exercise
Response Deadline: April 28
8. Army Futures Command BAA: Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment 2026 (Future C2 and Counter-C2)
Solicits TRL 6+ solutions in ISR processing, c-UAS, sensor networking, tactical cloud, AI staff automation, and zero trust data security for evaluation during Jan–Feb 2026 experiment at Fort Huachuca
Vendors selected through multi-phase process (whitepaper, technical integration, live demo, and post-event assessment); technologies must align to specified focus areas and integration protocols
Submissions require 10-page whitepaper, quad chart, and tech integration form; must comply with DoDI 5200.48 CUI handling and may involve CDS, COMSEC, and spectrum coordination
Response Deadline: May 27
9. DARPA Proposers Day: Burn n’ Go (BnG) Solid Rocket Motor Program
Exploring novel solid rocket motor designs with post-manufacturing, tailorable thrust profiles to improve flexibility, performance, and manufacturing efficiency
Seeks materials science and propulsion innovations that enable dynamic burn surface control, reduce quality control timelines, and enable real-time SRM health monitoring
Objective is to enable multi-platform compatibility and scalable production using a single motor architecture adaptable at the point of need
Proposers Day held May 8, 2025, at Executive Conference Center, Arlington, VA; limited to U.S. persons with CUI access
Response Deadline: May 5 (for registration and presentation materials)
10. AFRL BAA: Sensing Operation Using Prediction (SOUP)
Seeks to develop predictive, closed-loop algorithms for improving track association, combat ID, and sensor tasking across distributed, multi-platform environments
Emphasis on fusing behavior-based models, resource management, and feature-level combat ID to enable timely decision-making under contested conditions
Single award, up to $3M in 6.2 RDT&E funding; 36-month PoP at Secret level; DD254 and DD2345 required for export-controlled and classified work
Supports AFRL’s COMPASE and JMAC environments; strategic entry into autonomy-aligned ISR and C2 modernization efforts
Response Deadline: May 14
11. DARPA BAA: Securing Artificial Intelligence for Battlefield Effective Robustness (SABER)
Seeks performers to develop and operationalize AI red teaming tools and techniques capable of uncovering adversarial vulnerabilities in AI-enabled battlefield systems—including autonomous ground vehicles and drones
Aims to establish a replicable framework for AI security OT&E through the creation of attack toolkits, novel AI kill chains, and counter-AI TTPs deployed in realistic operational exercises (SABER-OpX)
Focus on delivering physical, adversarial AI, cyber, and EW-based attack effects targeting AI components—not downstream system controls—in contested, dynamic environments
Multiple awards anticipated under Technical Team 1.1 (attack techniques/tools) and a single award for Technical Team 1.2 (toolkit integration); 24-month program, with testing at West Point and Seattle
Response Deadline: May 20
12. Joint Staff J-7 RFI: Joint Theater Level Simulation – Global Operations (JTLS-GO) Support Services
Seeks industry input for follow-on contract to support JTLS-GO—a TS/SCI-accessible, web-enabled simulation used to train Joint, Coalition, and interagency forces in multi-domain operations
Contractor will provide RDT&E, operations and maintenance, cybersecurity, scenario development, C4I integration, and wargaming enhancement services; requires immediate continuity of operations upon award
JTLS-GO software is government-licensed but commercialized and maintained by Valkyrie; future contractor must support government’s evolving usage rights and maintain interoperability across JLVC and allied environments
Estimated 85,560 labor hours across 3 years; CPFF contract expected with base and two option years; responses should demonstrate understanding of technical, security, and intellectual property constraints
Response Deadline: April 28
13. Space Systems Command Sources Sought: Resilient MEO Ground Management and Integration (GMI)
Solicits industry input on managing and evolving ground infrastructure for RMMWT Epoch 2, including Ops Center, Ground Entry Points, and unified control software
Emphasizes need for CI/CD software integration, cyber-resilient cloud hosting, and real-time command and tasking capabilities across multiple constellations
Anticipates follow-on contracting activity in FY25; primes and subs encouraged to indicate roles and cite existing contract vehicles
Industry Day scheduled for April 25; responses due with Statement of Capability covering task areas such as software, GEP ops, cybersecurity, and mission integration
Response Deadline: May 2
14. OSD CAPE Sources Sought: Joint Data Support (JDS) Analytic Services IDIQ
CAPE’s Joint Data Support (JDS) division delivers authoritative force structure and capability data to enable DoD-wide strategic analysis, wargaming, programming, and future force planning
M-DIQ (5-year ordering period) to reestablish and expand the JDS enterprise; tasks include data acquisition, threat assessments, CONOPS support, modeling and simulation, and SAPF-enabled study analysis
Contractor must manage and sustain a multi-domain data and IT environment; key mission areas include support to AWG, Defense Planning Scenarios (DPS), and Strategic Portfolio Reviews
Response Deadline: May 15
15. NAWCWD Sources Sought: Intelligence Exploitation and Targeting Systems
Likely focus includes multi-INT processing, AI/ML-assisted targeting, and PED toolchains; specific technical scope available only via controlled SOW (DD 2345 required)
Anticipated as a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee effort under Full and Open Competition; responses must demonstrate schedule, accuracy, and reliability credentials
Response Deadline: April 28
16. OPNAV N80 RFP: Navy Analytic Studies Program (NASP)
Seeks modeling, simulation, campaign-level and mission-level analysis, and decision support to inform Navy POM and PPBE processes
Tasks span capability-based assessments, AoA support, scenario development, readiness modeling, and analytic integration of wargaming outputs
Five-year IDIQ (FY26–FY30); TS/SCI and NATO access required; 271,440 estimated hours across CPFF/FFP task orders
Follow-on to expiring contract supporting OPNAV N80; strategic access point for influencing Navy investment priorities
Response Deadline: April 30, 2025 (Step One); May 19, 2025 (Step Two)
17. DIA CIO RFP: Common Data Fabric (CDF) Portfolio Support
Seeks contractor to operate, sustain, and enhance the Common Data Fabric, Policy Capture Tool, and Common Transformation Service across multi-domain, Zero Trust environments
CDF provides machine-to-machine data brokering across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise; PCT enables web-based entry and automation of system/data sharing policies
Tasks include end-to-end program management, customer onboarding, cybersecurity (ATO/RMF), data brokering pipeline engineering, and SCIF-based operations support
Work spans NIPR, SIPR, JWICS, and special mission networks; contractor must maintain TS/SCI-cleared staff with polygraphs and provide SCIF space within 45 days
Strategic follow-on to a matured prototype supporting data integration across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise; leverages Cloudera-based architecture but may evolve
Response Deadline: April 28
18. AFRL Munitions Directorate BAA Call 05: University Day 2025
Solicits proposals from U.S. universities for short-term, seedling research in either biologically inspired swarming (RA 2) or intelligent guidance/control algorithms (RA 17) for advanced munitions systems
Each award will total $75K–$100K for a 12-month effort, including 10 months of research and a 2-month reporting period; 5–6 grants expected under this call
Targeted at institutions without existing AFRL/RW contracts; highly/selectable proposals will be invited to virtual pitch day, with same-day award possible
Response Deadline: May 14
19. Army Sources Sought: NATO C-UAS and C2 Integration Support (Baltic Phase V)
Seeks vendor support for NATO integration of air defense and C-UAS systems in Eastern Europe, funded by FY24 EUCOM BPC; effort includes software engineering, technical assistance, field support, and interoperability testing
New contract expected September 2025 with 12-month PoP; strong emphasis on past performance in NATO-aligned defense IT and integration efforts
Response Deadline: April 25
20. DARPA Program Solicitation: Lunar Assay via Small Satellite Orbiter (LASSO)
Seeks spacecraft capable of autonomously navigating low lunar orbit (LLO) and dynamically repositioning to map water concentrations ≥5% with 90% confidence and 4km² resolution
Focused on orbital sensing only—no surface assets—with the goal of generating a proven reserve model to enable future ISRU applications like propellant production or lunar base sustainment
Program spans 3 phases: 6-month concept (Phase 1A), 18-month detailed design (1B), and 12-month build and test (Phase 2); final spacecraft must complete 100% lunar surface coverage in ≤4 years
Response Deadline: May 27
21. OUSD(R&E) RFI: Quantum Timing Technology for AUKUS Interoperability Test
Seeks prototype quantum clocks (TRL 4+) for May 2025 AUKUS trilateral test at Naval Research Lab; goal is platform-relevant testing under environmental stressors
Devices must meet strict technical specs (ADEV, SWaP, 10 MHz output), be U.S.-made, and demonstrate integration path to operational platforms within two years
Environmental tests to inform modeling/simulation and future ensembling of quantum timing sources for resilient, multi-nation PNT architectures
Limited to five clocks; responses must detail delivery readiness, export/shareability of test data with UK and Australia, and DoD SAFE submission preferred for sensitive data
Response Deadline: April 30
22. USTRANSCOM RFI: JOPES and TransViz Functional Management Support
Seeks industry input to inform a follow-on contract supporting JOPES and TransViz—critical tools for planning and visualizing global force movements and transportation feasibility across the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise
Tasks include system admin, user account management, anomaly resolution, application testing, functional training, and liaison support across USTRANSCOM, its components, and external mission partners
JOPES supports secret-level contingency planning; TransViz enables collaborative, real-time COA analysis and visualization with direct data manipulation across distributed teams
Anticipated award in June 2025 with Oct 1, 2025 start
23. USAF 412th Test Engineering Group Sources Sought: SCIF Network Cross Domain Solution (CDS)
Seeking multi-level security solution enabling up to 50 users to access 18 TSABI networks via EverFox ForcePoint console and Trusted Thin Client
System must comply with Zero Trust architecture and NSA-approved protocols, removing all compute/storage from endpoints in SCIF environments
Solution must support dynamic network access based on room classification and personnel; no partial capabilities accepted
Responses must include capability summary, contract references, and business size; NAICS 334220 applies
Response Deadline: April 24, 2025
24. USTRANSCOM RFI: TRAC2ES Agile Software Development Support
TRAC2ES is a global patient movement and medical evacuation C2 system—supporting up to 8,000 users across classified and unclassified environments
Future contract will cover full lifecycle software support: Agile development, CI/CD pipeline integration, DevSecOps, incident response, Zero Trust security, and cloud-native ops in TC-UGC and TC-CGC
TRAC2ES integrates policy, doctrine, and automation to manage patient movement across all theaters
One-on-one sessions offered week of May 5; responses may shape acquisition strategy and scope of final PWS
Response Deadline: May 2
25. DARPA RFI: Rapid Operational Guided Unmanned Execution (ROGUE)
Solicits concepts for mobile, autonomous instrumentation systems to support long-range flight test data collection outside traditional range infrastructure
Aims to reduce dependency on Major Range and Test Facility Bases (MRTFBs) by enabling on-demand, low-signature test operations with reusable, networked sensors
Key technology areas include autonomous telemetry, radar, optics, scoring, and high-bandwidth data backhaul; surface, subsurface, air, and space-based platforms considered
Concepts should scale to 250–2000nm ranges and be executable under $70M; individual components or full systems welcome
Response Deadline: May 7
26. TRADOC Sources Sought: Instructor Training Support and Development III (ITSD3)
Anticipates multi-award IDIQ to support instructor services, curriculum development, and training operations across CASCOM and the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE)
Covers AIT, PME, STRAP, MTT, and field exercises; includes SGL roles, writer/developer support, and simulation-based event execution across MOS-aligned sustainment schools
Will replace and expand SAIDIQ and SDVOSB task order contracts; draft PoP spans FY27–FY32 with broad scope across DOTMLPF-P
Q&A confirms acquisition strategy and task order volume still in development; final solicitation likely FY26
Response Deadline: April 15
27. AMCOM Sources Sought: Supply Chain Optimization Support (SCOS)
Seeks SDVOSB responses for CPFF contract providing forecasting, sourcing, logistics, inventory management, and analytics for B-64 missile and B-17 aviation systems across non-PBL supply chains
Supports AMCOM Logistics Center (ALC) with end-to-end Stock Availability services; includes warehouse ops, demand planning, risk management, and coordination across Government and contractor sites
Responses must address past performance and ability to meet 50% self-performance under FAR 52.219-14; JCP and SAM registration required for access to technical data
Five-year period of performance (base + 4 options); strategic opportunity to shape evolving SCMD support architecture across multiple missile and aviation SOS portfolios
Response Deadline: August 1
28. AFLCMC Sources Sought: ADIS & CIDS Follow-On Support
Seeks sustainment, modernization, and migration planning for ADIS and CIDS—Air Force systems supporting centralized contracting, item tracking, and procurement analytics across 3,000+ logistics users
ADIS is a COBOL-based mainframe system hosted at DISA; CIDS uses PowerBuilder and Oracle to provide ad hoc contracting data access and visualization at ALCs
Tasks include Agile development, helpdesk support, FIAR audit readiness, cybersecurity (RMF/ATO), and transition to the ESCAPE ODS enterprise platform
Both are financial feeder systems; contractor must maintain STIG compliance, manage interface dependencies, and ensure continuity across legacy and modernized environments
Response Deadline: May 8
Contract Awards
29. Near Earth Autonomy: $11.5M from Army for Heavy VTOL Demonstration
Tasked to design, develop, and demonstrate heavy-lift vertical takeoff and landing systems
Firm-fixed-price contract. Work locations and specific funding to be determined with each order, estimated completion date of April 14, 2028
Only one bid received via internet
Army’s SBIR Contracting CoE is the contracting activity (W51701-25-D-A002)
31. Gallatin: Emerges from Stealth with $15M Seed to Deploy AI-Enabled Defense Logistics Platform
Navigator platform enhances military logistics with real-time data fusion, predictive resupply planning/CoA generation, and AI-driven decision support—tailored for contested operational environments.
Founders bring experience from Palantir, Scale AI, Amazon, DoD, and the U.S. intelligence community.
Seed round was led by 8VC, with participation from Silent Ventures, Moonshots Capital, Timeless Partners, and Banter Capital.
Funding will accelerate tech development and hiring in engineering and field deployment as Gallatin scales Navigator across military services; active recruiting underway in DC and El Segundo to support pilots and defense partnerships.
32. Fuse Integration Inc: $34.8M from USAF for contested long-range mesh networking & targeting at the tactical edge
$1.13M obligated at award via FY24 RDT&E (Air Force). PoP runs through April 2030
Supports experimentation, developmental testing, and fleet exercises across varied platforms and 13 locations
CPFF order (N0042125F0484) against a previously issued BOA(N0042122G1002); award was not competed
33. Modern Technology Solutions Inc: $17.3M from AFRL for Space Data Transport Network Architecture
Supports AFRL’s “Resilient by Design” initiative to validate next-gen Space Data Transport Network concepts through real-world experimentation
$17.3M CPFF ceiling / $250K obligated at award via FY24 RDT&E
New competitive award. PoP runs through April 2030
Work conducted for AFRL’s Space Technology Branch at Kirtland AFB
34. Northrop Grumman: $8M DARPA contract modification for modular laser technology
Advances development under DARPA’s Modular Efficient Laser Technology (MELT) program—focused on compact, power-scalable, and modular laser architectures
$8M Phase Two option exercised on existing CPFF contract. Brings TCV to $16.2M
$1.5M obligated at award via FY25 RDT&E funds. Work continues through April 2027
Industry Activity
35. Atomic: Former Tesla Supply Chain Leaders Launch AI Startup to Optimize Inventory Planning
Atomic’s agentic AI platform simulates inventory scenarios in real time, enabling planners to reduce stock levels while maintaining fulfillment targets—early pilots report up to 50% inventory cost reduction.
The platform targets CPG, apparel, and food & beverage industries, offering rapid onboarding via a generalized data model and planner-controlled interface.
Atomic raised a $3M seed round led by DVx Ventures (founded by ex-Tesla president Jon McNeill), with participation from Madrona Ventures.
Co-founders Neal Suidan and Michael Rossiter previously led Tesla’s Model 3 supply chain transformation and built the company’s end-to-end planning system.
36. Scout AI: Emerges from Stealth with $15M Seed Round and DoD Traction for Defense Robotics AI
Seed round led by Align Ventures and Booz Allen Ventures
Unveiled Fury, a defense-specific Vision-Language-Action (VLA) foundation model capable of multimodal perception, natural language processing, and real-time autonomous control across ground, air, sea, and space platforms
Fury enables command of robotic systems via natural language or fine-tuned mission profiles; engineered for operation in GPS- and comms-denied environments
Currently fielding two Fury-powered prototypes (G01 UGV and A01 UAV) at company proving grounds; system is modular, hardware-agnostic, and optimized for low-SWaP robotic platforms
Secured two initial DoD contracts (details undisclosed); also taking a “partnership-driven approach” with robotics companies to integrate Fury into third-party systems
Founded in August 2024, based in Sunnyvale, CA
37. Shield AI: Upgrades V-BAT with Hivemind Autonomy, SATCOM, and Heavy-Fuel Engine
Latest V-BAT variant delivers Group 4/5 capabilities in a Group 3 package, optimized for GPS- and comms-denied ISR, maritime, and expeditionary operations.
Adds a JP-5 heavy-fuel engine (13+ hr endurance), SATCOM for BLOS control, and full unassisted VTOL with no catapult, runway, or recovery system required.
Hivemind Pilot integration enables AI-driven autonomy for threat detection, targeting, and navigation in denied environments.
V-BAT now deployed on nearly every U.S. Navy ship class, all 7 MEUs, selected by the U.S. Coast Guard for ISR ops, and adopted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Supports modular payloads including SAR, ViDAR, and EW, enabling multi-mission flexibility across air, land, and sea domains.
38. Saronic: Acquires Louisiana Shipyard to Build 150-Foot Autonomous Surface Vessels
Austin-based defense startup Saronic acquired Gulf Craft to produce Marauder, a 150-foot unmanned warship, at a 100-acre facility in Franklin, Louisiana.
Marauder is being developed using private capital—without a government contract—underscoring a bold bet on demand for hybrid naval fleets and autonomy-forward platforms.
Designed with a 40-metric-ton payload and 3,500-nautical-mile range, the vessel supports defense and commercial missions, including logistics and offshore resupply.
Saronic plans to invest $250M into upgrading the Gulf Craft facility; this shipyard is separate from the larger “Port Alpha” site still under development.
Valued at $4B following a $600M raise earlier this year, Saronic is positioning itself as a core player in maritime autonomy and U.S. industrial base revitalization.
39. Blue Water Autonomy: Raises $14M Seed to Build Fully Autonomous Naval Vessels
Boston-based company founded in 2024. Recently emerged from stealth with seed funding from Eclipse, Riot, and Impatient Ventures.
Has already developed a full-stack autonomy suite and commenced saltwater testing of a 100-ton prototype vessel just outside of Boston.
Important emphasis on “highly producible” ship designs with modular payloads.
40. Leidos and Moveworks: Partner to Deploy Agentic AI Across U.S., U.K., and Australian Government Agencies
Partnership introduces secure, decision-capable AI assistants to automate admin tasks like IT support, email drafting, and data queries.
Leidos helped Moveworks achieve U.S. government security certification readiness for federal use.
Moveworks, valued at $2.1B with $100M+ ARR, brings enterprise-scale AI already used by Fortune 500 companies to the public sector.
41. Theseus: Raises $4.3M Seed to Build APNT Autonomy for Military Drones
Theseus is not a drone manufacturer—it focuses solely on enabling platform-agnostic, point-to-point autonomy without performing targeting functions.
Already partnering with USSOCOM on an early testing and development agreement following a demo at a classified facility.
Technology originated from a viral 2024 hackathon project; the startup was later accepted into Y Combinator’s Spring 2024 cohort.
Seed round led by First Round Capital, with participation from Y Combinator and Lux Capital
42. Ramp: Under Consideration for $25M GSA SmartPay Pilot Following DOGE Engagement
Ramp is competing for a charge card pilot contract worth up to $25M, as part of the U.S. GSA’s broader $700B SmartPay program.
Ramp claims its spend management platform—already used by major enterprises—could prevent billions in government waste through automated policy enforcement and real-time visibility.
The company has raised over $1B in equity and $700M in debt since 2019, and recently doubled its valuation to $13B in a secondary sale.
Investors include Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, Thrive Capital, 8VC, and politically connected backers aligned with Trump-world figures.
43. Bombardier: Expands digital engineering partnerships with Siemens
Bombardier adopting additional tools from the Siemens Xcelerator suite—including NX (3D modeling and manufacturing), Capital (electrical systems design), and Mendix (low-code app development).
Builds on Bombardier’s 2018 adoption of Siemens’ Teamcenter PLM platform, now serving as the digital thread backbone across mechanical and electrical design.
Xcelerator will support full lifecycle digital twin implementation
44. Safran DSI: Opens Colorado Hub for Satellite Propulsion and Space Domain Capabilities
Operates under a Special Security Agreement to support U.S. national security space missions with a secure, domestic supply chain
New 28,000 sq. ft. facility in Parker, CO will manufacture EPS®X00 electric propulsion systems for DoD and commercial smallsat constellations
U.S.-built electric thrusters and electronics to begin shipping in 2026
45. BANC3: Completes DoD contract for advanced wideband RF threat detection algorithm
Enhances U.S. Army ground combat vehicles' ability to detect RF threats in dense, complex environments
Algorithm successfully evaluated over 10,000 signal sequences, modeling real-world threats including radar surveillance, moving target indicators, and radio-controlled detonation devices
Tested across RF spectrum from 10 MHz to 18 GHz, enabling real-time threat identification with 6.4 GHz instantaneous bandwidth
46. GuRu Wireless: Showcasing sUAS Wireless Power Beaming Tech at Apex Defense 2025
Will demo long-range wireless energy transfer system capable of keeping small, un-tethered sUAS in persistent flight with no need for landing or physical power connections
Tech operates at 24GHz and uses fully synchronous power beaming to enable continuous ISR operations for defense and public safety missions
Apex Defense 2025 will take place:
Dates: April 23–24, 2025
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland
47. Nuro: Raises $106M Series E to Scale Autonomy Licensing Strategy
Pivoted from building delivery robots to licensing self-driving tech to OEMs, ride-hail, and logistics fleets; strategy aims to extend capital runway through 2027.
Company claims years of driver-out Level 4 testing and is positioning its platform to accelerate autonomy roadmaps for partners like Toyota and Uber.
Funding round led by existing backers including T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, Tiger Global, Greylock, and XN; valuation now $6B (down from $8.6B in 2021).
Shift reflects broader autonomy sector trend away from full-stack vehicle development toward capital-light, modular platform integration.
Nuro halted in-house vehicle production in 2023 after layoffs and cost-cutting; now focusing on software scalability and commercial partnerships.
48. Lockheed Martin & Arquimea: Demo AI-Based Anomaly Detection for EO/IR Sensors
The system reduces required scan volume and improves change detection by comparing live data to neural-network-based episodic memories, even from novel angles.
Prototype simulated use aboard a small UAS in jungle environments, showing promise for autonomous ISR, environmental monitoring, and threat detection.
Additional development planned in 2025 to expand applications across sensor types and autonomy stacks.
49. Venus Aerospace: Integrates NASA-Backed Nozzle Tech Into Flight-Ready Hypersonic RDRE
The company will incorporate a NASA SBIR-funded nozzle design into its Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) for a flight demo slated for summer 2025.
RDRE uses supersonic detonation waves to boost power and efficiency; Venus claims upper 90th percentile performance vs. conventional rocket engines.
Their single-engine architecture enables runway takeoff to Mach 5+ without switching propulsion systems—targeting both defense and space applications.
Use cases include hypersonic drones, space cargo vehicles, rocket kick-stages, and reusable aircraft like the company’s planned Stargazer M4.
Founded in 2020, Venus partners with NASA and DoD to scale detonation-based propulsion across defense and aerospace.
50. Fortify: Wins Army C5ISR Contract to Prototype 5G-Enabled GRIN Lens Antenna for Tactical C2
Field testing will be conducted under DEVCOM C5ISR oversight; RTX and University of Notre Dame serve as core partners.
Solution aims to replace wired networks with high-gain, low-latency 5G communications using Fortify’s passive dielectric lensing technology.
Fortify’s platform uses patented additive manufacturing to produce compact, high-performance RF and radar components.
51. Archer Aviation: Reveals NYC Air Taxi Network Plan with United Airlines
Archer announced a proposed electric air taxi network connecting Manhattan to major airports and heliports, aiming for 15-minute trips to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and regional hubs like Teterboro and Westchester.
Service will use Archer’s Midnight five-seat eVTOL aircraft, which is still awaiting FAA certification and has yet to fly with a pilot onboard.
United Airlines will assist with aircraft maintenance, storage, charging infrastructure, and vertiport development across the NYC metro area.
Archer is partnering with fixed-base operators (FBOs) Atlantic, Signature, and Modern Aviation for access and infrastructure at key Manhattan heliports.
Production of Midnight began last month in Georgia; Archer aims to build 650 units annually by 2030, with plans to launch in LA, San Francisco, Miami, and Abu Dhabi (potentially this year).
The company has raised $3.36B to date and went public via SPAC in 2021; commercial operations in U.S. cities remain contingent on regulatory approvals
52. Brinc Drones: Raises $75M to Expand U.S.-Made Police Drone Platform and Launch Motorola Integration
Seattle-based Brinc brings total funding to $157.2M with new round led by Index Ventures; valuation confirmed as an up-round from 2022’s $55M Series B. Brinc was last valued at $300 million in 2023.
Motorola Solutions joins as investor and strategic partner; integration will enable AI-assisted drone dispatch directly from 911 call centers.
Brinc drones feature window-breaching capability and can deliver emergency medical devices—optimized for rapid response in hard-to-access or hazardous environments.
Competing with other U.S. drone firms like Skydio and Flock Safety as domestic demand grows amid federal restrictions on Chinese drone tech.
Founded in 2017 by Blake Resnick, a former DJI intern, with early backing from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
53. Advanced Magnet Lab: Launches Scalable PM-Wire™ Process to Diversify U.S. Magnet Supply Chain
Positioned to support DoD and DOE industrial base priorities, AML is partnered with U.S. and global suppliers to enhance rare earth material traceability and supply chain resilience.
Founded in 1995, AML is executing magnet-focused programs for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers with U.S. government funding support.
54. ThayerMahan: Christens Uncrewed Acoustic Vessel to Advance AUKUS Pillar II ASW Capabilities
ThayerMahan and Ocius jointly unveiled the Outpost TM001, a persistent, uncrewed surface vessel for undersea surveillance, at SeaAirSpace 2025.
Outpost features a 22-foot solar/wind/wave-powered hull (Ocius) paired with ThayerMahan’s towed passive acoustic array and processing tech, delivering scalable, near-real-time ASW intelligence.
Platform supports AUKUS Pillar II goals by rapidly augmenting maritime domain awareness at lower cost and production timelines than traditional assets.
Congressman Joe Courtney and Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd highlighted the vessel as a trilateral innovation success; ThayerMahan plans to double CT manufacturing capacity in 2025.
Companies aim to export capability to other Indo-Pacific allies amid growing demand for low-cost, persistent maritime ISR solutions.
55. HAVN: Secures $110K USAF STTR to Advance EMF-Blocking Apparel for Airmen
Focus is on protecting Air Force personnel from chronic EMF exposure tied to next-gen communications and onboard systems.
HAVN continues to expand from commercial wellness market into defense with specialized personal protection offerings.
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