By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – The Army xTech Program unveiled the 20 winners of xTechSBIR Autonomy, the U.S. Army’s first autonomy-focused competition prioritizing autonomous ground and air technologies across complex open and urban environments.

Led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, the xTech and Army Small Business Innovative Research programs will invest nearly $13 million in small businesses to develop working prototype systems to meet Army requirements. While this was an open competition, it emphasized leap-ahead capabilities that support autonomous solutions.

These efforts included remote command, 360-degree situational awareness, target detection and identification, and sensor functionality. As a part of the Army’s broader Robotic and Autonomous Systems Strategy, the Army invested in these areas to learn, adapt, fight and win across the battlefield through integrated human-machine Soldier teams.

“To support mobility and navigation across multiple terrains, it’s important we develop and employ ground and aerial robotic autonomous systems throughout the Army,” said Nicole Fox, the Army’s SBIR Program’s portfolio manager for autonomy and contested logistics, sustainment, science and technology. “Solutions developed via the competition – and through follow-on SBIR contracts – will support Soldier safety and efficiency in contested environments.”

Following xTechSBIR Autonomy’s launch, the competition received 218 submissions that Army subject matter experts narrowed down to 40 finalists. From Sept. 25-29, the competition hosted a final technology pitch event at Grace’s Corner, Maryland, where judges selected 20 winners.

All 20 winners that received $400,000 total in cash prizes can submit for a Phase I Army SBIR contract worth $250,000 each. Of the 20 Phase I selectees, four can each receive a Phase II contract valued at $1.9 million. Evaluations will focus on the technology’s feasibility and performance during live operational demonstrations.

xTechSBIR Autonomy Winners

• Censys Technologies; Daytona Beach, Fla.
• Charles River Analytics; Cambridge, Mass.
• Dragoon Technology LLC; Tucson, Ariz.
• Elroy Air, Inc.; South San Francisco, Calif.
• Forward Edge AI, Inc.; San Antonio, Texas
• krtkl inc.; San Francisco, Calif.
• MaXentric Technologies LLC; Fort Lee, N.J.
• Mesodyne; Somerville, Mass.
• Photon Semantics; Huntington Woods, Mich.
• Poseidon Systems, LLC; Victor, N.Y.
• Primordial Labs Inc; New Haven, Conn.
• Protonex LLC dba PNI Sensor; Santa Rosa, Calif.
• Scientific Systems – HADES; Woburn, Mass.
• STEER Tech LLC; Annapolis Junction, Md.
• SunRay Scientific Inc.; Eatontown, N.J.
• TeleSwivel LLC; Durham, N.C.
• Tracks North America; College Station, Texas
• Vyir Inc; New York, N.Y.
• WingXpand; St. Louis, Mo.
• Xwing, Inc.; Concord, Calif.

Throughout the anticipated six-month performance period, these xTechSBIR Autonomy winners and Phase I selectees will have access to subject matter experts who will offer developmental and assessment-based feedback on technologies in practical settings.

Following this contract, businesses will conduct a live demonstration to a key panel of Department of Defense experts. Four will then move forward to a Phase II Army SBIR contract to further develop autonomy-focused technologies over an 18-24-month performance period.

Established in 2018, the Army xTech Program strives to integrate small and nontraditional businesses into the Army’s science and technology ecosystem. It provides opportunities for direct exposure to laboratories, program executive offices and program managers across the Army.

Participants receive detailed feedback from Army and DoD stakeholders and have access to training, mentorship and other support infrastructure. This feedback helps guide businesses through the competition and determine where their solutions best align within the Army.

The xTech Program holds several competitions per year. These include open-topic competitions such as xTechSearch and technology-specific competitions that target key Army challenges. For more xTech information, please visit the Army xTech website.

The Army SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on a rolling basis to respond to the Army’s current and expected warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open solicitations, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology offers the American Soldier a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. It also leverages its technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Soldier needs. To learn more, please visit the ASA(ALT) website.