Aircraft Defensive Electro-optical Protection Technologies (ADEPT)

The ADEPT program seeks innovative defense solutions to protect U.S. aircraft and aircrew against emerging electro‑optical (EO) threats. The effort is split into two technical areas – HEAT (Hardware & Executable Analysis of Threats) and ACE (Advanced Countermeasure Engineering) – and contractors may bid on one or both. Work includes threat hardware/software exploitation, high‑fidelity modeling of EO‑guided missiles and loitering drones, laboratory and open‑air testing, development of image‑processing and signal‑processing software, and hardware procurement/upgrades. The contract is a Cost‑Plus‑Fixed‑Fee IDIQ with an 84‑month performance period, and the solicitation deadline is 9 Nov 2026. • HEAT: Generate foundational threat data, model foreign EO‑guided weapons, and produce inputs for countermeasure design. • ACE: Conduct continuous engineering support, laboratory/open‑air testing, and develop digital threat models and software tools. • Deliverables: Technical data per CDRLs, software, hardware, final technical report, and compliance with extensive security, CUI, and CMMC requirements.