DARPA Selects Raytheon for PICASSO All-Optical Processing R&D

On November 3, 2026, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a phase one contract under its Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO) program. Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will design and demonstrate photonic circuit technology that processes signals using light rather than electricity. The effort is intended to mature all-optical processing for applications in contested environments, where faster signal processing could help operators detect threats sooner, respond more quickly, and maintain situational awareness. The announcement describes a research, development, and demonstration effort—not a production procurement—and provides no contract value, solicitation number, or follow-on schedule.

The technical premise addresses a limitation in current photonic circuits: optical signals typically must be converted back into electrical signals for refinement and processing. PICASSO aims to remove that conversion step by keeping critical processing in the optical domain. According to the source, avoiding optical-to-electrical conversion can preserve signal strength and integrity as circuits scale to smaller sizes and greater complexity. Raytheon will draw on its experience in photonics process development, radio-frequency design, and fielded military solutions to advance the technology. For contractors, this combination points to an R&D requirement at the intersection of photonics, circuit architecture, RF expertise, and defense system integration.

Raytheon is collaborating with Synopsys, which will provide design and simulation tools to support development. That industry relationship is a concrete indicator of the specialized engineering and software ecosystem needed to advance photonic integrated circuits. Companies with optical-processing components, photonic fabrication or design expertise, circuit simulation capabilities, RF knowledge, or relevant integration experience can assess where their offerings may complement work at this early stage. The announcement does not identify additional subcontractors, suppliers, or an open competitive opportunity, so potential participants should treat supplier engagement as an area to monitor rather than a confirmed near-term solicitation.

Raytheon’s Colin Whelan, president of advanced technology, said: “By moving critical processing entirely into the optical domain, we can enable significantly faster response times for a broad range of applications.” The statement frames the anticipated operational benefit, but the source does not provide quantified performance targets, technical milestones, or a transition plan. GovCon teams should therefore track subsequent program disclosures for evidence of demonstrated performance, phase progression, or integration with defense platforms. Until such details emerge, PICASSO is best understood as a federal R&D signal for all-optical processing and advanced circuit design, not evidence of an imminent production buy.

• DARPA awarded Raytheon a phase one contract on November 3, 2026, under the PICASSO program.
• The program name is Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives.
• Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will design and demonstrate photonic circuits that process signals with light rather than electricity.
• The technical approach seeks to eliminate optical-to-electrical conversion during signal refinement and processing.
• The source says all-optical processing may preserve signal strength and integrity as circuits become smaller and more complex.
• Raytheon brings photonics process development, radio-frequency design knowledge, and fielded military solutions to the effort.
• Synopsys is supporting development with design and simulation tools, indicating a role for specialized commercial engineering tools.
• Raytheon executive Colin Whelan connected optical-domain processing with faster response times across a broad range of applications.
• The source provides no contract value, solicitation number, performance targets, follow-on award details, or future procurement timeline.
• Contractors should monitor program milestones and potential supplier engagement while distinguishing this phase one R&D effort from a production opportunity.