Challenge Overview

The U.S. military needs tactical missiles that are more affordable, easier to produce at scale, and adaptable to emerging threats.

This challenge invites participants to propose new missile development methods and executable development plans. The competition rewards the methodology and the plan for executing that methodology, not a completed missile design. Submissions should demonstrate how the proposed approach, tools, and processes could underpin an all-up-round (AUR) concept that is:

• Affordable - reducing development, production, and sustainment costs.
• Adaptable and scalable - designed for growth in production capacity and responsive to mission needs.
• Operationally relevant - aligned with near-term warfighter requirements.

Proposals will be judged on the strength, credibility, and executability of the methodology and plan rather than on a hardware prototype or finished design.

Prizes and Incentives

Monetary Award. One winning Participant will receive $200,000.

Collaboration Opportunity. A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NPS may be offered to enable continued collaboration with Naval research or acquisition partners. Any CRADA would be negotiated separately and is not guaranteed.

Eligibility

• Open to for-profit U.S. businesses.
• All individuals participating must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and 18 years of age or older.
• Federal employees are not eligible.
• Academic institutions, FFRDCs, and UARCs may participate, but priority will be given to for-profit entities with a credible path to production.

Key Dates

       13 January 2026 - Challenge Launch
       29 January 2026 - AMA Session
       26 February 2026 - Phase I Submissions Due
       18 March 2026 - Finalists Notified
       25/26 March 2026 - Finalist Pitches
       NLT 3 April 2026 - Winner Announced

Full Challenge Details

Complete Challenge Document

Frequently Asked Questions

Program support for the challenge is provided by the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation under a Partner Intermediary Agreement with NPS. The NPS Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-federal entity. It is not part of the DOD and has no governmental authority.