The Defense Innovation Unit has rolled out a $250,000 prize challenge for mass-producible small radar systems capable of actively seeking and tracking targets after launch, per a posting on DIU's website last night.

DIU is teaming up with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s RF Seekers Branch and Air University’s Blue Horizons research team to ask industry to bring designs for an affordable, scalable active radio frequency radar seeker to use in 70mm missiles -- ones that can survive harsh conditions and don’t have to lock onto a target before being launched.

“The prize challenge is designed to identify top-performing solutions for potential prototyping and eventual transition into a $50M rapid acquisitions program” using indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) agreements,” DIU said.

The $250,000 pot will be split among the top three finalist companies, and participants may be considered for that follow-on $50 million rapid acquisitions contract, DIU said.

Submissions are due July 2, and DIU will announce the winners by the end of July. Top performers could see invites to submit proposals to that $50 million contract within 60 days without having to undergo further competition.

For the radio frequency operations, vendors should avoid commercial use and atmosphere absorption frequencies. For integration, submissions should be compatible with aircraft and ground launch systems, and system interfaces should be compatible with Weapon Open System Architecture and Modular Open System Approaches, DIU said.

DIU mentioned that while not required, it would be ideal for radar system submissions to include Seeker-Integrated Fuzing that allows the missile to detonate when it is in appropriate proximity of the target, rather than requiring a direct hit.