ONHS Report: FA875026S7002

Cyberspace Operations for Resilient Tactical Engagement and Execution (CORTEX)

Solicitation ID: FA875026S7002

Agency: AFRL/Information Directorate

Type: Presolicitation

Deadline: 2030-12-31T17:00:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Dual Approval Required)

Funding: Total funding is approximately $460M. Individual awards will normally range from $10M to $50M, with the potential for contracts up to a $99M ceiling value.

Doc Type: BAA

Clearance: Top Secret

Program Manager: Jason Hallahan

Last Updated: 2026-04-02 16:03

Analyzed File: ARA 26-02 amend 1 update PM email.pdf

Eligibility Reasoning

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)... are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this ARA in any capacity unless they meet the following conditions: a. FFRDCs: FFRDCs must clearly demonstrate that the proposed work is not otherwise available from the private sector; and FFRDCs must provide a letter on official letterhead from their sponsoring organization citing the specific authority establishing their eligibility to propose to Government solicitations and compete with industry... This information is required for FFRDCs proposing to be prime contractors or sub-awardees.

Note: This is an AI-generated summary...

Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting research for the Cyberspace Operations for Resilient Tactical Engagement and Execution (CORTEX) program, an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA FA8750-26-S-7002) with a total estimated funding of $460M. The program seeks to develop disruptive technologies that integrate Cyberspace Operations and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) for use in contested environments. Key technical areas include: advanced microelectronics (photonic, quantum) for edge computing and Software-Defined Radios (SDRs); AI-driven autonomous agents for real-time reconfiguration; gateware, firmware, and software for Electronic Warfare (EW); novel analog and biological technologies; anti-tamper and hardening solutions; and formal methods for secure SDR development. This is a two-step ARA, open until December 31, 2030, requiring white papers as initial submissions. Individual awards will typically range from $10M to $50M, with a potential ceiling of $99M, over a period of up to 60 months. The goal is to advance technologies from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 to at least TRL 6.

Overall Technical Areas

Cyberspace & EMSO SynergySoftware-Defined Radio DevelopmentPhotonic & Quantum MicroelectronicsAirborne & Edge ComputingAutonomous Waveform ReconfigurationFormal Methods for SDR SecurityPost-Quantum CryptographyBiologically-Inspired CybersecurityNeuromorphic Signal ProcessingAI-Driven Red TeamingDigital Twin for EW ResilienceCognitive RF DeceptionAnalog Computing for SDRFederated Machine LearningHardware Anti-Tamper Technologies

Probable LBNL Areas

BSACSAEESAESAETAPSA

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Develop die, chips, multi-chip modules (MCMs) and systems-in-package (SIPs) for airborne/edge computing and SDR including analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), embedded general and special-purpose processors, and complementary sensor/receiver/exciter technology such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), photodetectors and photodiodes.
Explore quantum‑assisted signal processing (e.g., photonic or quantum‑enhanced Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)) for ultra‑low‑latency Modem and Codec operations.
Deploy neuromorphic processors co‑located with the SDR’s RF front‑end to perform sub‑microsecond detection of anomalous waveforms, spoofing, or jammer signatures.
Advance the use of analog circuitry, analog computing and analog phenomenology to complement the mechanics of a modern SDR system and reduce the demands of digitization and digital signal processing (DSP).

Specific Technical Skills:

MicroelectronicsPhotonic Integrated CircuitsQuantum Signal ProcessingNeuromorphic ComputingAnalog Circuit DesignSoftware-Defined Radio (SDR)Edge ComputingSystem-in-Package (SIP) DesignRF Front-End DesignDigital Signal Processing (DSP)

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Alp Sipahigil	0.72	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics
Georgios Michelogiannakis	0.71	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Boubacar Kante	0.70	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics
Hasita Veluri	0.70	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Neel Rajeshbhai Vora	0.69	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Wei Liu	0.69	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Yilun Xu	0.69	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Zhao Hao	0.69	EESA \| EG \| Geochemistry Dept
Kaushalya Jhuria	0.68	PSA \| ATAP \| FS&IBT
Meriam Gay Bautista-Jurney	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science

Example Priorities:

Enable SDR waveform and protocol stacks to reconfigure in real‑time without human intervention using meta‑learning techniques.
Map high‑level operational directives (e.g., “establish spectrum dominance over X band”) into concrete SDR configuration changes, waveform selections, and EW attack/defense sequences.
Use explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) models that generate human‑readable justification for each SDR re‑configuration, supporting command‑level confidence and audit trails.
Design deceptive RF signatures (e.g., counterfeit beacons, false protocol stacks) that manipulate adversary decision making while preserving mission critical communications for friendly forces.

Specific Technical Skills:

Machine LearningMeta-LearningReinforcement LearningExplainable AI (XAI)Cognitive Electronic WarfareAdversarial AIAutonomous SystemsWaveform DesignProtocol AnalysisRF Signal Analysis

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Gazi Mahmud	0.69	BSA \| Env. Genomics & Sys. Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio
Xiaoya Chong	0.69	ESA \| ALS \| PS Computing staff
Neel Rajeshbhai Vora	0.69	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Marcos Lopez de Prado	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Oluwamayowa Amusat	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
Stijn (Stan) Wielandt	0.68	EESA \| EG \| Geophysics Dept
Zhe Bai	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Alexander Sim	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Edward Bethel	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Yilun Xu	0.68	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI

Example Priorities:

Enable the SDR’s gateware/firmware and associated cyber‑control software to be dynamically re‑linked or swapped without reboot, preserving mission continuity.
Model the SDR firmware and data flows as a digital immune system that can detect, isolate, and heal corrupted software blocks triggered by malicious EW intrusions.
Build a virtual red team sandbox that automatically creates EW attack vectors (e.g., waveform injection, protocol exploitation) against simulated SDR stacks, or against real SDR stacks using Hardware/Software-in-the-Loop (HITL/SITL) test fixtures.
Leverage findings to enhance automated vulnerability discovery and exploit generation frameworks.

Specific Technical Skills:

Formal MethodsSoftware Composition AnalysisBiologically Inspired ComputingAutomated Red TeamingVulnerability DiscoveryCyber-Physical Systems SecurityFirmware EngineeringFPGA DevelopmentRuntime VerificationSecure Software Development

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Angelos Ioannou	0.69	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Sean Peisert	0.69	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
Brandon Cook	0.67	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department
Tiffany Connors	0.67	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department
Neel Rajeshbhai Vora	0.67	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Dan Bonachea	0.67	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Edward Bethel	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Stefan Lasiewski	0.67	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department
Rohan Adwankar	0.66	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Process Engr & Analytics
Dhruva Kulkarni	0.66	CSA \| NERSC \| Sci Eng & Workflows Department

Example Priorities:

Develop a federated learning framework that trains spectrum awareness models across allied platforms (U.S., partner nations) while preserving intellectual property (IP) and classification boundaries.
Integrate post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) into SDR control channels, boot‑strapping, and anti‑tamper mechanisms to protect firmware updates and key exchange against future quantum adversaries.
Create high‑fidelity digital twins of the entire SDR/EW stack (e.g., hardware, firmware, waveform libraries) that run in parallel on edge compute to forecast spectrum‑contested scenarios and potential Cyber‑EW attacks.
Embed zero‑trust policies at the SDR firmware level, ensuring that any incoming configuration or code update from coalition nodes is authenticated, sandboxed, and verified before activation.

Specific Technical Skills:

Federated LearningZero Trust ArchitecturePost-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)Digital Twin TechnologyPredictive AnalyticsAnti-Tamper TechnologyHardware SecuritySecure BootstrappingDistributed Systems SecurityCoalition Interoperability

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Neel Rajeshbhai Vora	0.70	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Sean Peisert	0.70	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
Edward Bethel	0.69	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
John Wu	0.68	CSA \| ESNET \| Tech Adv and Engagement
Yilun Xu	0.68	PSA \| ATAP \| BACI
Tiffany Connors	0.68	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department
Alexander Sim	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Gazi Mahmud	0.67	BSA \| Env. Genomics & Sys. Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio
Anand Krishnan Prakash	0.67	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Georgios Michelogiannakis	0.67	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science

Potential LBNL PIs (Overall)

Note on PI Matching: These suggestions are generated through an AI-driven semantic analysis of LBNL staff profiles.

Name	Score	Organization
Marina Radulaski	0.75	ESA \| MF \| MF Nanofabrication Facility · Photonic & Quantum Microelectronics
Christoph Kirst	0.74	CSA \| SciData \| Data & Computational Science · Neuromorphic Signal Processing
Angelos Ioannou	0.74	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Autonomous Waveform Reconfiguration
Luisa Gonzalez	0.74	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Analog Computing for SDR
Daniel Arnold	0.73	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt · Digital Twin for EW Resilience
Stijn (Stan) Wielandt	0.73	PSA \| Engineering \| Electronic Engineering · Software-Defined Radio Development
Steven Hofmeyr	0.73	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Biologically-Inspired Cybersecurity
Tiffany Connors	0.73	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department · Cyberspace & EMSO Synergy
Siyuan Niu	0.72	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Post-Quantum Cryptography
Suren Byna	0.72	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research · Airborne & Edge Computing

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

As of the date of publication of this ARA, the Government does not anticipate work proposed under this ARA to be considered fundamental research. Proposers should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While proposers should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to select award instrument type and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Appropriate clauses will be included in resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as appropriate.