The Defense Innovation Unit is launching a $2 million prize competition in search of software that can automatically coordinate, approve and deconflict radio spectrum use between federal agencies and interagency components, DIU announced today.

The rapid expansion of uncrewed systems and multiband radios is crowding the electromagnetic spectrum to a degree where current spectrum management processes cannot keep up, requiring the U.S. government to seek out and adopt next-generation spectrum management technology, DIU said.

“The legacy system forces tactical units to navigate disconnected databases and operate under unrealistic mission constraints,” DIU said. “Ultimately, this analog bureaucracy degrades tactical readiness, heightens the risk of blue-on-blue EMS interference and severely stifles the integration of critical capabilities required to maintain spectrum dominance.”

That’s why DIU is partnering with military services, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communication Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security in search of a software-driven solution that can automatically authorize and coordinate radio spectrum use.

The federal partners are looking for mature, usable enterprise software capabilities at Technology Readiness Level 7 or higher. The goal is for the software to drive spectrum use approval timelines from more than 90 days to less than five days. Additionally, the Defense Department wants to establish a “standing library of approved spectrum activities” so DOD units can “one-click” submit requests for known and routine activities that don’t pose significant risks.

Technologies should include deployable “one-stop shop” dashboards that visually depict the EMS environment geographically and use artificial intelligence agents to manage coordination requests. The dashboard should be accessible across the Defense Department and federal partners.

Proposed solutions would be initially deployed at the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) level, which DIU said would "enhance lethality, survivability and mission effectiveness." Submissions should be tailored for employment in both cloud and edge environments, as well, DIU said.

The prize challenge -- called Project Spectrum Strike -- is split into three rounds and the total $2 million prize pot will be split across up to 10 vendors sharing a $500,000 pool in the second round and up to three final winners sharing a $1.5 million pool in the third round, DIU said.

Submissions are due June 15, and DIU expects to issue invitations to Round 2 on June 22. Submissions for Round 2 are due July 10 and DIU expects to announce down-selected entities proceeding to Round 3 on July 24. Round 3 begins Aug. 25 in Fort Carson, CO, with validation and live demonstrations.

Vendors must develop a minimum viable product dashboard with seamless interagency coordination for Round 2. Round 3 will see selected vendors demonstrate spectrum coordination in military battlespaces using modeling and simulation.