Rising Smoke Prize Challenge

Overview:

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in partnership with Blue Horizons and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) RF Seekers Branch, is offering a $250,000 prize challenge for a conceptual active RF radar seeker design and future use considerations for use in a 2.75-inch class munition. This technology focus area supports efforts to evolve a low-cost 70mm missile variant by integrating an RF active seeker capable of all-weather lock-on-after-launch engagements. The prize challenge is designed to identify top-performing solutions for potential prototyping and eventual transition into a $50M rapid acquisitions program using an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 

Benefits of Participating:

• $250,000 in total funding split among up to three (3) top-performing finalist companies
• Consideration for the follow-on $50M rapid acquisitions program contract
• Engagement opportunities with mission partners and DoW leaders for winning team(s)



Eligibility:

• Any U.S. Participants will be subject to a security screening if selected. International participants are not eligible at this time.
• Companies without a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code will be required to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and have an active registration to be eligible for a Prototype agreement, if selected. The DoW recommends that participating companies begin this process as early as possible.
• Any US business is encouraged to apply.

Timeline:

All dates are tentative and subject to change

Phase 1: Prize Challenge

• May 28, 2026: Open Call Release (DIU Website)
• June 8, 2026: Ask Me Anything Session (12:00 PM ET)
• July 2, 2026: Open Call Submission Window Closes
• July 2026: Winner(s) Announced

Phase 2: Rapid Acquisitions Program Contract

• August 2026: Top performers may be invited to submit a proposal for the $50M rapid acquisitions program contract (less than 60 days) without further competition

Industry Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session

On June 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) will host a virtual Ask Me Anything (AMA) session for the Rising Smoke Prize Challenge: Register Here. The session will provide prospective participants with an overview of the challenge objectives, timeline, eligibility, and submission requirements. Following the overview, attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions directly to the challenge team and subject matter experts during an open Q&A discussion. A consolidated Q&A document summarizing questions and responses from the session will be posted to the event page following the AMA for those unable to attend live.

Problem Statement:

The Department of War (DoW) requires a commercially viable, active RF radar seeker for the low-cost 70mm missile variant. The immediate challenge is to identify a conceptual design that can be integrated within the strict 2.75-inch munition form factor, enabling all-weather lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) engagements. The resulting solution must demonstrate a clear pathway to transition an affordable sensing capability into scalable missile production.

Since the seeker's outer diameter is small (maximum 2.75 inches/70mm), the design must prioritize the “art-of-the-possible” by balancing trade-offs between detection range, power requirement, and seeker field of regard, while maintaining compatibility with both aircraft (LAU-131 and LAU-68) and ground launch systems. Successful and scalable solutions have the potential to redefine how the Department fields low-cost missile capabilities against increasingly complex threat sets.

Background:

The AFRL RF Seekers Branch is partnering on this $250,000 prize challenge to identify top performers for a potential follow-on $50M rapid acquisitions program. The effort supports development of a low-cost 70mm missile variant. The envisioned concept of operations for the RF seeker is to autonomously acquire and track targets after missile launch, provide guidance inputs to the guidance section, and secondarily it would be ideal to trigger warhead detonation via a proximity fuze mode-Seeker Integrated Fuzing (SIF).

End User: DoW

Judging Criteria:

White Paper submissions will be judged on seven (7) major criteria: 

1. Introduction: Clarity and conciseness of the innovation, capability, and relevance to Air Force needs.
2. Form Factor & Launch Integration: Physical size, weight, 70mm munition form factor compliance, and compatibility with LAU-131/LAU-68 launch systems.
3. RF & Tracking Performance: Operational frequency band, detection range/guidance to a 0 dBsm (normalized value) target at 6km, adequacy of Field of Regard (>±15° in Azimuth and Elevation), and adequacy of angle detection/tracking error. 
4. System Architecture & Features: Internal design factors including resident power source, Seeker Integrated Fuzing (SIF) desirability, and open system architecture (WOSA/MOSA), considerations. A mechanical single beam conical scan design will be rejected.
5. Commercial Viability: Overall trade-offs between performance, cost, and risk, emphasizing mass producibility and technical novelty.
6. Team and Contracting Readiness: Assessment of the team's organizational structure and ability to reliably transition to a follow-on contract, including compliance with Other Transaction (OT) requirements and readiness for government contracting (e.g., CAGE/SAM status).
7. Submission Quality: Clarity in evidence of projected performance.

Desired Capabilities Features:

The focus is on the “art-of-the-possible” with considerations toward performance, cost, and mass producibility.

• Size/Form Factor: Maximum diameter of 2.75 inches (70 millimeters). The seeker must be consistent with a 70mm form factor (5–7” length; 6–10 lb weight).
• RF Operation: Ku or Ka frequency bands are desired (not necessarily both). Higher than Ka (40 GHz) will still be considered. Avoid commercial use frequencies and atmospheric absorption frequencies.
• Performance: Detection of, and guidance to, a 0 dBsm (normalized value) target at a range of 6 kilometers.
• Tracking/Guidance:
  • Seeker Field of Regard > ±15 degrees in AZ and EL. Beam steering preferred. Gimballed solution is not preferred but will still be considered.
  • Able to develop/derive adequate Angle Off Boresight (AOB) angle discriminant for guidance (simultaneous AZ and EL is preferred, and sequential AZ then EL is acceptable).
  • Develop and maintain appropriate target track file(s) information for missile guidance
• Integration:
  • Seeker power source resident with seeker. Power-Up-Enable line possible from separate Safe-and-Arm (S&A) module.
  • Seeker Integrated Fuzing (SIF) capability at terminal distance is highly desirable but not required.
  • Must be compatible with both aircraft and ground launch systems (LAU-131 and LAU-68).
  • Exact interface to guidance section is TBD but should have Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) and Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) considerations.

Submission Requirements:

Entries that do not comply with these instructions will not be accepted. 

Companies must submit a white paper using the provided template (check back soon for link) that describes their proposed solution and addresses the features outlined above. The white paper submission must not exceed 25 pages in length and 25 MB in file size. The document must use a minimum 11-point Calibri font and single-spaced formatting.

• Do not modify the template’s margins or formatting.
• Use the embedded prompts to structure your response. These prompts directly correspond to the evaluation criteria and should guide the organization of your white paper.
• An additional references section is permitted but must be included within the established page limit.
• Footnotes are not permitted.
• Delete the instructional text on the template prior to submission.
• Submit the final white paper as a PDF file.

Applicants must submit their required white paper through the designated submission portal associated with this open call announcement. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and classified information up to the Secret level are not permitted through the standard submission portal.

Applicants may submit supplemental CUI or unclassified materials separately via the Government-designated secure submission method identified here: stephen.davis.4@us.af.mil. Furthermore, vendors may choose to submit information up to the Secret level here: stephen.e.davis42.civ@mail.smil.mil. However, the vendor is solely responsible for ensuring appropriate handling, safeguarding, transmission, and marking of all classified material in accordance with relevant regulations.

About the AFRL RF Seekers Branch

The Air Force Research Laboratory, RF Seekers Branch (AFRL/RASR) is located at Eglin AFB, Florida. AFRL/RASR performs research and development in airborne radio frequency seekers and fuze sensors for a variety of munitions in the United States Air Force current and future inventory. 

About the Defense Innovation Unit

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, DC, DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.

Intellectual Property:

Applicants retain ownership of existing Intellectual Property (IP) submitted under this Challenge and agree that their submissions are their original work. Applicants are presumed to have sufficient rights to submit the submission. For any submission made to the Challenge, you grant DIU a limited license to use this IP for testing and evaluation for efforts specifically related to the Challenge. Any follow-on contract will be negotiated with individual competitors in the event additional usage, integration, or development is contemplated. Competitiveness for the follow-on effort will consider willingness to provide government purpose rights for maximum producibility of the capability.

Other Transaction Authority:

This DIU Challenge public announcement is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors seeking innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new DoW solutions or potential new capabilities fulfilling requirements, closing capability gaps, or providing potential technological advancements, technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities improving commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for broad Defense application(s). As such, the Government reserves the right to award a contract or an Other Transaction agreement for any purpose, to include a prototype or research, under this public announcement. The Federal Government is not responsible for any monies expended by the applicant before award and is under no obligation to award additional procurement transactions.

Satisfying Competition Requirements:

This DIU Challenge Open Call Announcement is considered to have potential for further efforts that may be accomplished via FAR-based contracting instruments, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Prototype Projects 10 USC 4022 and Research 10 USC 4021, Prizes for advanced technology achievements 10 USC 4025. The public open call announcement on DIU’s website is considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC 4025(b), and 10 USC 4022 (b)(2). Accordingly, FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b).

DIU reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, at DIU’s sole discretion.