Attritable Turbine for Low-Cost Attack Systems (ATLAS)

SBIR · Phase: BOTH · Topic DON27BZ02-NV023 · Solicitation 27.BZ

The Department of War has an increasing need for affordable, reliable, and rapidly producible propulsion systems to support the proliferation of attritable Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and stand-off strike weapons. Current small turbofan and turbojet engines in the 150-300 pounds of thrust (lbf) class often rely on traditional aerospace material and manufacturing processes, resulting in high unit costs and long supply chain lead times. These factors are prohibitive for systems intended to be employed in mass or as expendable assets. This SBIR topic seeks innovative engineering and manufacturing approaches to design a turbofan engine that meets the thrust requirements while dramatically lowering cost per unit. Proposers should consider advanced design and manufacturing techniques to produce a low-cost engine that can leverage existing industrial base capacity to reduce risk to procurement supply chains. Key technologies and design features to consider are: • Additive Manufacturing: Utilizing Powder Bed Fusion, Directed Energy Deposition and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) to consolidate part count and simplify construction. • Industrial (Non-Aerospace) Production Capacity: Leverage non-traditional aerospace manufacturing firms to reduce cost. Consider leveraging materials, casting and production techniques found in the automotive sector. Demonstrate a manufacturing pathway that enables rapid scaling and reduces supply chain bottlenecks. • Short Life/Expendable Components: Utilizing non-traditional lubrication systems, bearings and electronic sub-components to limit cost. • Optimized Materials: Utilize cost-effective materials suited for limited-life/single-use engine operations rather than traditional high-lifecycle aviation materials, where appropriate. Performance metrics of interest include specific fuel consumption (SFC), thrust-to-weight ratio, and operational reliability for mission durations typical of attritable UAS or cruise munitions. The engine will be fully operational utilizing Navy relevant fuels and demonstrate resilience to harsh maritime storage and launch conditions without significant performance degradation. The engine is expected to demonstrate functionality when subject to storage life of 6-12 months in Maritime environments and meet minimum required performance after exposure to shore-based and shipborne launch environments. Notional performance objectives for this SBIR topic are provided in the Tables below: Table 1: ATLAS engine notional operational envelop and performance objectives. Parameter Specification Electrical Power Generation [W] 500-1500 Thrust, SLS [lbf] 150-300 SFC [lbm/lbf/hr] < 1.5 Cruise Altitude [ft] 20k Table 2: ATLAS engine notional mass and dimensional properties objectives. Parameter Specification Approximate OML Diameter [in] < =10 Weight, Dry [lbm] 25-35 Length [in.] 14-24 Table 3: ATLAS engine notional storage & launch conditions. Parameter Specification Start Altitude Sea Level Start Method Air Impingement Storage Duration (Wooden Round) 6-12 months, Maritime Environment Launch & Assist Method Rail, Catapult, or Rocket Assist

SBIR/STTR 은 미국 중소기업만 지원할 수 있습니다(Small Business Act 법정 요건). • 계열사를 포함해 상시 종업원 500명 이하 • 미국 시민 또는 영주권자 1인 이상이 50%를 초과해 직접 소유·지배 • 미국 내 사업장을 두고 주로 미국 내에서 사업을 영위할 것 • 수행책임자(PI)의 주된 근무처가 신청 기업일 것 출처: https://www.sbir.gov/faq/eligibility-requirements

Primary country

🇺🇸 United States

Also eligible

None

Foreign companies

No

Local entity

Required

Location condition

미국 내 사업장을 두고 미국 시민·영주권자가 50%를 초과해 소유한 중소기업만 신청할 수 있습니다(법정 요건).

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Official URL

https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/

Application URL

https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/

Last fetched

2026.11.06

Human review

Not reviewed — check the official announcement

First seen

2026.11.06

Data status

Auto-collected, not reviewed

AI enrichment

Needs verification