Autonomy

NASA selected PiLogic for a six-month SBIR Phase I effort to evaluate its Manifest system for detecting and reasoning about faults across spacecraft electrical power, thermal-management, and attitude-control systems. The study signals NASA’s interest in explainable, probabilistic diagnostics, but is not a deployment decision; the award value and any follow-on procurement remain undisclosed.

The U.S. Air Force’s classified Force Design 2026 replaces its 2024 framework and emphasizes integrated sensors, networks, artificial intelligence, autonomy and command-and-control capabilities, including operations in denied environments. The strategy signals potential future modernization demand, but identifies no solicitation, funding level, contract value or procurement timeline.

Airbus demonstrated an autonomous UH-72 Lakota helicopter to the U.S. Army in Huntsville in early October 2026 and is continuing MQ-72C flight tests for the Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector program. The activity signals capability development, not an active procurement: no solicitation, award, funding amount, or schedule has been disclosed.

The Department of the Air Force seeks industry white papers on mature AI/ML software for autonomous spacecraft operations in cislunar space, with responses due December 4, 2026. The RFI is not a funded R&D effort or contract award, but may inform future requirements; vendors should address rapid verification, flight qualification, computing needs, updates, and safeguards.

Ukrainian-Lithuanian defense technology company Valkyrie Dynamics raised €1 million in pre-seed funding to manufacture and further develop Heimdall, a lightweight radar guidance system for interceptor drones. No government award or solicitation is reported; planned European integration centers could signal future NATO-related testing and integration opportunities.

The Department of Defense committed more than $115 million to unmanned ground vehicle projects in fiscal 2026, with reported efforts spanning Marine Corps missile-launching and logistics platforms, Army activity, and autonomous breaching. The investments point to opportunities for contractors while underscoring an acquisition tradeoff between low-cost, attritable systems and more capable autonomous platforms.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division will convene government, industry, and academic participants on December 8–9, 2026, in California, Maryland, to discuss autonomy and AI capabilities for Naval Aviation. The Government is considering prototype efforts using Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022, but the event notice is not a solicitation or award commitment.

Saab says it developed and launched a fully functional large uncrewed underwater vehicle demonstrator in less than a year after receiving a contract, and has completed successful sea trials. A planned next phase involving autonomy, advanced software, and new sensors could create follow-on opportunities, although contract value, award details, and a procurement timeline have not been disclosed.

As military leaders examine the role of **Edge AI** in combat scenarios, procurement opportunities are emerging for contractors skilled in artificial intelligence solutions. Focusing on **autonomy** and enhanced decision-making, initiatives will likely demand advanced technology and support services.

The U.S. Army has awarded **$15.5 million** in OTA agreements to three startups focused on autonomy technologies. This initiative aims to integrate these technologies into Infantry Support Vehicles, reducing acquisition timelines and enhancing soldier feedback in evaluations.