Autonomous Robotic Bridging

The Autonomous Robotic Bridging grant opportunity, designated as A254-012, is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The primary focus of this funding is to develop autonomous drone swarm technology specifically for watercraft in riverine environments. The goal is to enhance the U.S. Army's ability to conduct dispersed river crossings with improved efficiency and survivability. The proposed solution will replace the existing Improved Ribbon Bridge by integrating both payload capacity and powertrain into a single craft. By developing autonomy packages for multiple dispersed floating bays, this effort aims to create a scalable and self-coordinating bridging solution for future military operations. Current gap-crossing solutions do not meet the Army’s anticipated operational needs for 2040 and beyond, particularly in contested environments where adversaries possess advanced targeting capabilities. Autonomous powered floating bridges will provide advantages such as nonlinear, unpredictable river crossings and the removal of Combat Engineers from hazardous breach bridging missions. Additionally, the technology is expected to reduce logistical burdens by consolidating functions that currently require multiple separate systems. The core technical challenge of this effort lies in developing autonomy capabilities that allow multiple floating bays to operate independently while still being able to interconnect to form a larger rafting platform. The selected contractor will be responsible for identifying or maturing sensor technologies capable of functioning in marine environments, including challenging conditions such as obstacle-laden rivers and water bodies with high particulate content. A critical requirement is the development of communication and control logic that ensures the safe operation of multiple unmanned rafting bays in close proximity while preventing collisions with obstacles or each other. The project will culminate in a demonstration using surrogate platforms to validate the proposed capabilities in a relevant marine setting. The grant opportunity is open for Phase I proposals, which will fund up to $250,000 for a six-month feasibility study. The study should outline communication methods, spatial awareness solutions, and guidance sensors, along with a proposed system architecture. Additionally, the study must detail integration plans with other Department of Defense (DoD) systems and include a validation strategy using surrogate platforms. The primary deliverable for Phase I is a feasibility report. If awarded a Phase II contract, the contractor will be expected to further develop the system architecture, sensor solutions, and control methodologies while ensuring operational security in cyber-contested and GPS-denied environments. This phase will also include hardware selection, system testing in realistic conditions, and prototype development. A developmental test plan, test reports, and software deliverables will be required. Beyond military applications, this technology has potential dual-use applications in infrastructure inspection, uncrewed vehicle swarming for last-mile delivery, underwater exploration, agricultural monitoring, and even space exploration. These applications demonstrate the versatility and broad impact of autonomous robotic swarm technologies beyond military bridging operations.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Solicitation Instructions and Component Instructions for detailed information on eligibility, proposal preparation, and submission deadlines. These documents provide comprehensive guidance on how to prepare a competitive proposal and ensure compliance with all requirements.