Weapons Electrical Power and Battery S&T Industry Day : Request for Information Purpose: AFRL and AFLCMC are seeking academia and industry participation in a S&T Industry Day focused on advanced weapon power sources and battery technologies . The Industry Day will be held on 24-26 March 2026 , at the Doolittle Institute in Niceville, FL , and will be hosted up to SECRET level. The government aims to identify promising technologies that can enhance system performance through improved electrical power capabilities. This includes exploration of advanced battery chemistries, power supply and management systems, and related technologies. The government is seeking academia and industry partners to present ideas and collaborate in open, non-proprietary discussions and in separate, proprietary one-on-one sessions. Technical Focus: This Request for Information (RFI) aims to gather information on key technologies that can be matured to TRL 6 within 3-5 years or possess potential for significant impact within a 5-10-year timeframe. The Government is particularly interested in: High-Energy Density Batteries: Technologies that significantly increase energy storage capacity (e.g., approaching or exceeding 350 Wh/kg) to increase range and time-on-station for future platforms and air launched munitions. The Government is interested in pathways beyond conventional Li-ion, including but not limited to solid-state, Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) and liquefied gas technologies. High-Power Density Batteries: Technologies that optimize pulsed and continuous power output (e.g. >50C discharge rates and deliver >60% of rated capacity) to meet or exceed weapon system demands. Increased density thermal/reserve batteries are also of interest. Safe and Reliable Battery Technologies: Mature domestic manufacturing processes to promote early failure detection, thermal runaway mitigation/containment, and development of DAF-specific, criteria-based safety certification standards. Advance chemistries and designs that enhance safety and reliability in demanding operational environments, including thermal stability and resistance to mechanical stress. Advanced Power Management Systems: Innovative systems for efficient power distribution, regulation, and thermal management within weapon systems, including Battery Management Systems (BMS) with integrated predictive health monitoring. Extreme Environment Batteries: Development of batteries and technologies suited for military needs not met by commercial markets. This includes operating in extreme temperature ranges ( - 54 degree C to +80 degree C), high-G survivability, fast-charge/high power for directed energy, and long-life reserve batteries. This also includes ruggedized Li-ion cells capable of performing from -40°C to +65°C for >500 cycles with an energy density of >250 Wh/kg. Long Shelf-Life Batteries: Technologies to increase the shelf life of batteries for weapons. Alternative Power Sources: Novel power generation or storage methods beyond conventional batteries such as fuel cells or supercapacitors, that are relevant to weapon systems. Test & Evaluation: Develop Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools to reduce physical testing costs and accelerate acquisition cycle times. Novel Power Sources and Multifunctional Structures : Novel power generation or storage methods beyond conventional batteries. This includes long-shelf-life thermal and reserve chemistries with extended active lifetimes, as well as multifunctional materials such as structural batteries (where the battery is integrated into the airframe) and dual-use energetic materials that serve as both a power source and provide a terminal effect. Standardization and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA): Technologies and design philosophies supporting the development of common, scalable, modular batteries. This includes standardized electrical and mechanical interfaces, modular packaging methodologies, and scalable voltage from 28V to greater than 540V to create a "kit-of-parts" that can be adapted across multiple platforms to enable affordable mass. Advanced Test, Evaluation, and Digital Engineering : Innovations in Modeling and Simulation (M&S), to include the development of physics-based "digital twin" models and hardware-in-the-loop architectures. The goal is to reduce physical testing costs, accelerate acquisition and certification cycle times, and support the establishment of DAF-owned T&E capabilities. Securing the Domestic Industrial Base: Technologies and manufacturing strategies that strengthen the domestic battery supply chain, from raw material processing to cell and pack production. This includes securing domestic manufacturing for legacy chemistries (e.g., Silver-Zinc) and developing drop-in replacements to combat diminishing sources of supply. Information Requested from Industry: Interested parties are encouraged to provide non-proprietary presentations and supplementary proprietary information addressing the following areas: Technology Characterization: Detailed description of the proposed power management or battery technology, including chemistry, materials, construction, and performance characteristics. Performance Enhancement: Quantification of anticipated improvements in weapon system performance (e.g., increased mission endurance, enhanced sensor capabilities, improved guidance accuracy) enabled by the proposed battery or power management technology. Integration Considerations: Discussion of potential integration challenges and solutions for incorporating the proposed battery technology into existing and future weapon systems. Maturity Roadmap: A roadmap outlining proposed events and activities to achieve TRL 6 within the specified timeframe (5 years or 10 years). This roadmap should include opportunities for government collaboration, key milestones such as TRL level achievements, test resource requirements or locations, and risk mitigation events. Cost Estimates: Rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for developing and producing the proposed battery technology at scale. Scale of 1,000 units to include final unit costs, NRE, and sub-component costs. Domestic Manufacturing and Supply Chain: A description of the company’s current and planned domestic manufacturing capabilities and a detailed plan for establishing a secure, domestic, and/or allied supply chain for the proposed technology as required by section 842 of the FY26 NDAA. This should address raw materials, processed materials, sub-components, and cell/pack production, directly addressing the government's goal of reducing dependence on adversarial sources. Support for Standardization : A discussion of how the proposed technology aligns with or can be adapted to a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). Please describe how your solution could fit into a standardized "kit-of-parts" for batteries, including potential for common interfaces and modularity. Industry Day Details: Dates: 24-26 March 2026 Location: Doolittle Institute, 1140 John Sims Parkway East, Suite 1, Niceville FL 32578 Security Level: Up to SECRET (SECRET clearance will not be required to participate, however there may be limited classified sessions that would restrict participation for un-cleared participants) Day 1, 24 March—Open Forum & Non-proprietary Presentations : Presentation of government needs and technology challenges for weapons power supply and batteries. Academia & Industry presentations , limited to 30 mins, marked as non-proprietary. Schedule of presenters will be provided a week before the event. Day 2 & 3, 25-26 March—Technology Showcase : One-on-One Sessions ( Government representatives and single industry partner ) : 25-minute sessions, priority given to Open Forum presenters. Proprietary presentation materials can be used during these sessions. Academia and Industry Sharing and Collaboration: A room(s) will be available for academic and industry to have discussions and collaborate on power and battery technology maturation and possible partnerships. Submission Details: Express intent to present, provide supplementary material, and/or attend the Industry Day by 13 February 2026 . POCs: Kevin Rooney,
[email protected] & Scott Conrad
[email protected] Submit a one-page capabilities document summarizing discussion topics and key takeaways by 26 February 2026 , to the same contacts. Government decisions on those companies chosen to present and tentative agenda will be communicated to all submitters NLT 6 March 2026 . Send unclassified to CUI presentation/supplementary materials via email (
[email protected]), via DoD SAFE, or on CD/DVD to arrive by 17 March 2026 , to: AFRL/RWIA, c/o Mr. Kevin Rooney, 101 W. Eglin Blvd, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810. Mark the internal items “AFRL/RW - AFLCMC/EB S&T Industry Day.” Send classified materials on CD/DVD to arrive by 17 March 2026 , to: AFRL/RW, Attn: Security, 101 W. Eglin Blvd, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810. Mark the internal packaging "AFRL/RW - AFLCMC/EB S&T Industry Day, c/o Mr. Kevin Rooney, 101 W. Eglin Blvd, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810.” Submit visit requests via JPAS to SMO Code: AFRL-RW by 12 March 2026 . The Event is the AFRL/RW – AFLCMC/EB Weapons S&T Industry Day, dates are 24-26 March 2026, and the government POC is Mr. Kevin Rooney (
[email protected] ). Other Relevant Information: The Government is interested in responses from all domestic based academia, UARCs, FFRDCs, national labs, and businesses, including small businesses. Previous submitters to the Air Dominance BAA FA8651-25-0001, updated 19 December 2025 are welcome. This RFI is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a future contract.