WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in partnership with the Department of War Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM UxS) and Department of Navy DRPM Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS), announced the Oct. 15 release for Sprint 2 of the Suitable Warfighting Adaptive Payloads (SWAP) Prize Challenge to scale maritime counter air capabilities. The challenge seeks industry submissions for integrated maritime counter-air solutions that can inform rapid capability development and transition decisions.
Sprint 2 seeks integrated solutions that pair mature, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), counter-air payloads, and clutter-resilient sensors for evaluation against maritime mission needs. The challenge will assess the ability of proposed systems to support detection, tracking, and engagement of Group 1–3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and rotary-wing threats in representative contested maritime conditions.
The SWAP Sprint 2 Challenge addresses the cost asymmetry created when high-cost air-defense systems are used against low-cost airborne threats. The challenge seeks affordable, persistent, and distributed surface-launched counter-air capability suitable for forward deployment within 120 days.
“This [challenge] is ultimately about matching the threat with the right effectors. By equipping mature commercial hulls with proven kinetic payloads, we are increasing our ability to operate in contested waterways,” said Christopher Miller, DRPM RAS. “Leveraging already proven technology solutions, integration on small USVs offers an unprecedented opportunity to project distributed maritime power and provide asymmetric solutions.”
Solicitation & Technical Mandates:
Eligibility and evaluation requirements are established in the SWAP Sprint 2 Challenge solicitation. The challenge seeks fully integrated solutions that include a vessel, launcher, and payload; standalone hull or effector submissions are not within the scope of this Challenge. Interested submitters should demonstrate system maturity, integration readiness, and the ability to support scalable production consistent with the evaluation criteria in the solicitation.
The solicitation identifies required capability baselines, including a minimum USV operational range of 200 nautical miles, a sustained cruise speed of at least 10 knots, open-ocean/littoral survivability, and modular command-and-control integration with DRPM UxS’ Project Autonomous Vehicle Orchestrator (AVO).
Competition & Follow-On Structure:
Individual prize awards of up to $40 million will be allocated to successful performers with $200 million allocated as the total prize cap for SWAP Sprint 2 activities subject to the terms of the solicitation and available funding. Successful performers may also then be eligible for follow-on prototype or production Other Transactions awards subject to availability of funding.
Interested submitters must submit complete challenge entries no later than 23:59 EST on November 30, 2026. The official SWAP Sprint 2 solicitation, which includes submission instructions and other applicable details to this challenge, is available on the DIU portal at diu.mil/swap-sprint-2.