DARPA-SN-26-93-Amendment-01.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Amendment

• Announcement Type: Amendment 01

• Special Notice Number: DARPA-SN-26-93: Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

• Changes Made are in yellow o Amendment 01 Added (Page 2) o Response Due Date (Page 2):

▪ From: October 6, 2026

▪ To: November 6, 2026

DARPA-SN-26-93

Request for Information

DARPA-SN-26-93

Amendment 01

Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Tactical Technology Office (TTO)

Responses due November 06, 2026, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) will be used to refine the Government's technical requirements, validate programmatic assumptions, and inform the acquisition strategy for a potential competitive Program Solicitation (PS). The primary intent of this RFI is to inform industry of a potential new DARPA program and to encourage innovative contractor/subcontractor teaming arrangements between traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, technology developers, and specialized test and evaluation (T&E) providers prior to formal solicitation.

Intellectual or other privileged or proprietary information contained in response to this RFI will not be distributed outside of the U.S. Government. If a new DARPA program is derived as a result of the responses to this RFI and a PS is released, no intellectual or other proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be divulged to agencies outside of the U.S.

Government.

BACKGROUND:

Future U.S. military operations face increasingly significant challenges from the rapid proliferation and advancement of highly capable Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) by peer adversaries. These systems threaten to restrict the operational freedom of U.S. forces and diminish the effectiveness of current stand-off strike capabilities.

While prior technology demonstration programs have successfully proven the fundamental viability of scramjet-powered flight to counter the evolving threat landscape, existing concepts often achieve predictable, incremental gains in isolated performance metrics, representing evolutionary improvements rather than the disruptive capabilities required for future conflicts.

Furthermore, legacy manufacturing processes often result in systems that are too expensive and complex to produce at the scale required for peer conflict.

The Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile (NGHCM) is a system-level development and demonstration effort. The goal is to design, build, and flight-test a fully integrated hypersonic cruise missile system demonstrator. This demonstrator must establish the foundation for a next-generation capability that delivers a revolutionary leap in operational performance—specifically in range, cruise speed, and/or altitude. This capability must maintain technological superiority, enabling the U.S. to promptly strike advanced threats in highly contested environments. DARPA expects a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) philosophy to be embraced from the outset, demonstrating a realistic path from demonstration to affordable, high-rate production.

To inform the formal requirements for NGHCM, the Government has structured an initial Phase 0 effort comprising of four (4) distinct but interrelated Focus Areas (FAs):

1. FA1: Trade Space Exploration and Concept Development.

2. FA2: Government-Executed Operational and Engagement Analysis.

3. FA3: Critical Technology Evaluation.

4. FA4: Innovative T&E Technologies.

DARPA has initiated parallel, internal foundational studies (covering elements of FA1 and FA2) to establish a physics-based analytical baseline. This RFI seeks information from industry— specifically targeting FA1, FA3, and FA4—to complement those foundational studies.

DESCRIPTION:

This RFI seeks information from industry on three (3) Focus Areas (FAs). Respondents may choose to address one (1), two (2), or all three (3) FAs. Furthermore, respondents are not required to address every requested information item within a chosen FA and may focus on the specific areas relevant to their capabilities.

1. Focus Area 1 (FA1): Trade Space Exploration and Concept Development. DARPA seeks system-level architectural concepts and integration strategies for a next-generation air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile. FA1 responses should summarize the overall vehicle architecture, system-level trades across multiple launch platform constraints (air, ground, and surface), DFMA integration, and the programmatic approach to executing a rapid development and demonstration program. DARPA seeks concepts that deliver a revolutionary leap beyond the current state-of-the-art through a significant improvement in one or more foundational physical parameters: range, cruise speed, and/or altitude.

Respondents are expected to trade these parameters against other critical operational factors to create a system that delivers decisive operational impact.

2. Focus Area 3 (FA3): Critical Technology Evaluation. DARPA seeks information on specific, high-risk, high-reward technologies essential for enabling a revolutionary hypersonic cruise missile system. This includes advances in air-breathing propulsion systems, high energy density fuels, advanced booster technologies, high-temperature materials, thermal management solutions, and high-performance power generation/ actuation/fuel systems. This is not a modernization or incremental improvement effort.

DARPA seeks unconstrained, radical new subsystem concepts that can deliver a quantum leap in overall system performance and distinguish themselves completely from the current state-of-the-art.

3. Focus Area 4 (FA4): Innovative T&E Technologies. DARPA seeks unconstrained, radical, new T&E concepts in the areas of test execution, instrumentation, and flight test architectures. These concepts must significantly accelerate model validation and reduce the time, cost, and uncertainty associated with complex hypersonic ground and flight testing. Similar to FA3, DARPA is looking for revolutionary capabilities—such as autonomous telemetry, advanced data assimilation, and novel range safety architectures—that lead to a quantum leap in overall program execution efficiencies.

Future Engagement: RFI Industry Day and Teaming Catalyst:

DARPA strongly encourages responses to this RFI from non-traditional defense contractors and emerging technology developers, particularly under FA3 and FA4. To identify best-in-class subsystem providers and facilitate integration, DARPA intends to host an In-Person Industry Day in Arlington, VA in September 2026.

The primary objective of Industry Day is for the Government to forecast the baseline physics-based frameworks and data formats required for evaluation.

• Plenary Format: The event will strictly serve as an Informational Plenary. To protect objective evaluation, there will be no DARPA-facilitated one-on-one feedback sessions or active matchmaking.

• Collaboration Directory: An opt-in participant directory will be compiled and distributed to attendees following the event to catalyze organic teaming across FA1, FA3, and FA4.

• Logistical Details: Specific details regarding the date, agenda, registration link, and security/Visit Authorization Request (VAR) instructions will be published separately on SAM.gov as a Special Notice (SN) prior to the event.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

Responses to this RFI are welcome from all capable sources including, but not limited to, private or public companies, individuals, universities, University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), not-for-profit research institutions, and U.S. Government-sponsored labs. DARPA is interested in responses that address one (1), two (2), or all three (3) of the FAs.

Respondents should structure responses to clearly address the specific FAs they are responding to.

Focus Area 1 (FA1) Requirements: Trade Space Exploration and Concept Development

1. System Architecture and Operational Impact: Describe the proposed architectural vision for an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile concept. How does the architecture balance advancements in foundational physical parameters (payload, range, speed, altitude) against other critical factors (e.g., midcourse maneuverability, signature, or platform capacity) to achieve a revolutionary leap in mission effectiveness and survivability? Discuss approach to optimizing aerodynamic efficiency (L/D) and propellant mass fractions to achieve these goals. Describe the approach to exploring a wide and diverse employment trade space. Rather than assuming a single point design, how does the architecture scale or adapt to different operational constraints to maximize tactical utility? DARPA encourages respondents to consider a broad spectrum of form-factors and to identify similar optimal "sweet spots" for an air-breathing cruise missile paradigm within that spectrum. The breadth of the trade space DARPA is interested in exploring includes, but is not limited to:

a. Tactical Fighter Class: External and internal carriage prioritizing rapid response and time-to-target.

b. Internal/Palletized Class: Internal bomber carriage, palletized deployment, or surface launch compatible Vertical Launching System (VLS) form-factors.

c. Heavy Bomber External Class: Large form-factor external carriage.

d. Heavy Ground-Launch / Strategic Defense Class: Large-scale, responsive ground-launched concepts intended to maximize the range/payload advantages of an air-breathing cruiser paradigm at larger scales.

The respondent should articulate where the concept finds the optimal balance of physical performance, affordability, and decisive operational impact across this broad spectrum.

2. Scalable Producibility: Identify how the new concept incorporates a DFMA philosophy from the outset. How do design choices (e.g., materials, component integration) create a realistic path to scalable, affordable production?

3. Digital Engineering: Identify the intended Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).

How to utilize “digital thread" and digital twins to accelerate the design cycle and integrate complex subsystems? Specifically, identify the intent to leverage smart analytics to optimize system design, accelerate analysis, or improve in-flight autonomy and decision-making.

4. Accelerated Execution Strategy: Identify innovative, accelerated programmatic for building a flight-testing demonstration vehicle. Identify an optimized, accelerated schedule to reach first flight for the major technical milestones and review gates, rather than relying on traditional, sluggish acquisition models.

Focus Area 3 (FA3) Requirements: Critical Technology Evaluation

1. Technology Description & Optimization: Identify the specific technology or subsystem. Clearly articulate the physical principles, current maturity level (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) / Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), and the specific limitations of current state-of-the-art systems the technology overcomes.

2. System-Level Impact: Provide a quantitative estimate of how the integration of the technology would impact the overall performance of a hypersonic cruise vehicle.

3. Integration Challenges & Maturation Plan: Identify the primary technical risks associated with integrating the technology into a flight-weight system. Provide a high-level roadmap for the testing required to mature the technology to a level suitable for integration.

Focus Area 4 (FA4) Requirements: Innovative T&E Technologies

1. Ground and Instrumentation T&E Solutions: Identify how the technology or methodology will reduce the time, cost, or uncertainty associated with hypersonic ground testing. Specifically address how prevention of instrumentation failure in extreme environments, accelerated model validation, or a reduction in the total number of physical test points will occur. Identify how advanced data assimilation techniques are utilized to maximize knowledge gain from limited physical test data.

2. Innovative Flight Test Architecture: Identify novel flight test execution, telemetry, range safety, or in-flight data assimilation methodologies that challenge traditional flight test paradigms. Consider the current solution space, concepts to revolutionize the way Department of W (DoW) conducts flight testing now including deployment and recovery of sensors, and how future technology improvements can lead to additional advancement of capabilities. Concepts should describe the ability to scale to different missions and distances from 250nm – 2000nm. technologies that can remove dependencies on traditional test ranges and enable programs to test on demand. These concepts should advance the state-of-the-art for collecting critical flight test data allowing for rapid deployment and execution while providing fewer observable indicators of imminent testing. Surface, subsurface, air-based and space-based solutions shall be considered, with an emphasis on autonomous capabilities. All instrumentation and data relevant to test ranges are of interest, including telemetry, optics, radar, targets, scoring, communications and data backhaul for real time data transmission to dispersed test operators.

SUBMISSION FORMAT:

This RFI contains all the information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed.

General Guidelines:

1. Respondents to this RFI are encouraged to be as succinct as possible, while also providing actionable insight.

2. All submissions must be written in English.

3. Responses shall not exceed fifteen (15) single-sided written pages using 11-point font with 1” margins all around. Smaller font may be used for figures, tables, and charts.

4. Electronic submittal shall be in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or PDF format.

5. All documents submitted must be clearly labeled with the DARPA special notice number

(DARPA-SN-26-93), respondent organization, and response title.

6. To the maximum extent possible, respondents are encouraged to send non-proprietary information.

a. Respondents are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information.

Submissions containing proprietary information must have the cover page and each page containing such information clearly marked with a label such as “Proprietary” or “Company Proprietary.” NOTE: “Confidential” is a classification marking used to control the dissemination of U.S. Government National Security Information as dictated in Executive Order (EO) 13526 and should not be used to identify proprietary business information.

7. Do not include elaborate brochures or marketing materials; only include information relevant to the areas identified in this RFI.

8. Use of a diagram(s) or figure(s) to depict the essence of the response is permitted and counted towards page count.

9. Send unclassified submissions to DARPA-SN-26-93@darpa.mil. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TO THIS ADDRESS. For classified submissions, reference Attachment 3 to this RFI for guidance and instructions.

10. DARPA utilizes the DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) (https://safe.apps.mil/security.php) or use encrypted email to send Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) materials. Respondents are required to comply with regulations applicable to receiving and storing CUI material in accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5200.48 CUI and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations.

11. Submissions sent through other mediums, channels, or after the prescribed deadline will not be considered. Early responses are encouraged.

All responses shall contain the following sections which are included in the page count:

A. Cover Sheet with the following information:

a. Response Title

b. Technical point of contact name, organization, telephone number and email address (The contact information should include the respondent’s technical and/or administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses) to enable potential clarification discussions.

c. Indicate the Key Challenge(s) addressed by this response

d. Indicate classification level of response (e.g., Unclassified, Unclassified/CUI, Secret Collateral) B. Technical Description that addresses one (1) or more of the FAs identified in this RFI.

Graphics within the responses are encouraged to the extent that they aid in succinctly describing the concepts.

C. Graphic Overview Slide. If desired, include one (1) PowerPoint slide that graphically depicts the main ideas of the response.

mailto:DARPA-SN-26-93@darpa.mil https://safe.apps.mil/security.php

D. Bibliography/References All technical and administrative correspondence and questions regarding this RFI and how to respond to this RFI should be sent to DARPA-SN-26-93@darpa.mil. Do not send emails regarding this RFI directly to any DARPA personnel. Those emails will not receive a response.

No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

NOTE: DARPA may conduct individual discussions with respondents as necessary to gain a full understanding of the technical and partnership models submitted. DARPA will contact respondents individually via email.

ELIGIBILITY

DARPA invites responses from all capable sources engaged in related research activities and appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources, including, but not limited to, universities, UARCs, FFRDCs, private or public companies, and Government research laboratories.

Respondents are required to comply with regulations applicable to receiving and storing CUI) material in accordance with DoDI 5200.48 CUI and the NISTSP 800-171 Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations.

DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. This is an RFI issued solely for information and new program planning purposes; it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government as such.

2. Responses do not bind DARPA to any further actions related to this topic, including requesting follow-on proposals from respondents to this RFI.

3. Submission is voluntary and is not required to propose to a subsequent PS (if any) on this topic.

4. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

5. Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.

6. DARPA will disclose submission contents only for the purpose of review. Submissions may be reviewed by the Government (DARPA and other Government partners), FFRDCs, and Scientific, Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support contractors bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements.

Point of Contact:

DARPA/TTO

DARPA-SN-26-93@darpa.mil