Drone Dominance Program (DDP) Lethality Prize Challenge
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Navy (NSWC CRANE) has issued a Special Notice for the Drone Dominance Program (DDP) Lethality Prize Challenge. This challenge seeks modular lethal payload solutions for Group 1 small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The Government will assist selected vendors with safety reviews. Responses are due April 14, 2026.
Scope of Work
This Prize Challenge aims to identify and develop modular lethal payload solutions for Group 1 sUAS. A lethal payload is defined as an integrated warhead, its associated Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) or Electro-Mechanical Safe and Arm Device (EMSAD), and communication/interface.
Key design considerations include:
- Scalability: Solutions must match the rapid growth of Drone Dominance platforms.
- Affordability & Manufacturability: Critical for mass production and fielding, as lethal payloads represent a significant portion of total system cost.
- Interoperability: Payloads should integrate across multiple drone platforms and vendors within the Drone Dominance ecosystem.
The Government will provide assistance to selected vendors for Joint Services Weapons System Review (JSWSR) and limited safety releases in preparation for Drone Dominance Phase II Gauntlet (DDG2) events, though safety approval is not guaranteed.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice / Prize Challenge
- Product Service Code: AC13 - National Defense R&D Services; Experimental Development
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: April 14, 2026, 04:00 PM EDT
- Published: April 02, 2026
- Place of Performance: Crane, IN, United States
Evaluation
Solutions will be assessed based on their ability to meet the challenge's requirements, with a strong emphasis on scalability, cost-effectiveness, manufacturability, and interoperability. This is a prize challenge, not a traditional procurement, focused on identifying innovative solutions.
Additional Notes
This notice is part of the broader Drone Dominance Program. Interested parties should review the provided documents, including the "Drone Dominance Program Lethality Prize Challenge" document, for full details. Contact Jerry Bean at jerry.c.bean2.civ@us.navy.mil or 812-381-3141 for inquiries.