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Sequential TACFI SBIR Phase II Open Phased Array Antenna
AFWERX · AFWERX TACFI · AFWERX
AI-Readiness Score
13/25
Pathway Speed
4/5
Timeline Realism
3/5
Problem Framing
2/5
AI / ML Fit
1/5
Award + Transition
3/5
Award
$1,799,789
Award ceiling
CESIUMASTRO INC
Awardee
Posted June 15, 2023
Description
The purpose of this effort is to leverage CesiumAstro’s technology development under the Phase II SBIR (FA8649-21-P-0788 / Topic J201CSO1) in order to further develop and demonstrate a full-scale receive and transmit (Rx/Tx) active phased array communicat
Score Rationale
The TACFI pathway is a legitimate fast-track OT-adjacent instrument and scores well for pathway speed, but the core problem — developing a full-scale active phased array antenna — is fundamentally RF hardware engineering, not AI/ML work, earning the lowest score on AI fit. Problem framing is weak due to the truncated description revealing almost no success criteria, performance metrics, or end-user context beyond continuing a prior SBIR effort. Award ceiling of ~$1.8M and TACFI's implied transition pathway to program of record keeps award/transition in middle territory.