Advanced Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Phased Array Radar

AFWERX · AFWERX STRATFI · AFWERX

AI-Readiness Score

17/25

Pathway Speed

4/5

Timeline Realism

3/5

Problem Framing

4/5

AI / ML Fit

1/5

Award + Transition

5/5

Award

$14,086,053

Award ceiling

Leolabs Federal, Inc.

Awardee

Posted May 16, 2025

Description

Under small business innovative research (SBIR) phase II contract #FA8649-23-P-1049, LeoLabs collaborated with key DAF stakeholders to develop, deploy, and operate an advanced ultra-high frequency (UHF) 3D pulse-Doppler electronically scanned planar direct radiating array (DRA) radar in Arizona. This prototype radar demonstrated that larger operational arrays could be built cost-effectively and proliferated to reduce existing gaps in global coverage of low-Earth orbit (LEO). Radar networks that are equipped with the latest technology and dedicated to space tracking and surveillance are key to closing this gap. This proposal is in response to solicitation number FA8820-25-R-B010, where the Government has requested to build a full-scale operational version of the UHF DRA under a strategic funding increase (STRATFI) sequential phase 2 contract from the previous SBIR phase 2 contract.LeoLabs proposes to design, build, test, and operate a UHF 3D pulse-Doppler planar direct radiating array (DRA) radar with at least 1,024 radiating elements in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility (AOR) to be operational on the LeoLabs network within two years of contract award.

Score Rationale

The AFWERX STRATFI pathway is a legitimate fast-track instrument and the $14M+ ceiling with an explicit sequential Phase II transition from a prior SBIR is strong on award/transition — highest scores here. The problem framing is reasonably concrete (1,024-element UHF DRA, INDOPACOM AOR, two-year operational target, clear predecessor contract), but the core work is hardware-dominated radar engineering and systems integration, not an AI-shaped problem; AI/ML scores lowest because there is no meaningful AI component articulated — this is a phased array radar build, not a perception or data intelligence challenge. Timeline realism is middling given the two-year build-to-operational window for a large physical radar system, which is ambitious but not implausible for a known vendor with a working prototype.

Source

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