PAX RIVER, MD – Platform Aerospace was awarded a minimum 5-year Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract for the Vanilla Unmanned UAS program by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The Phase III award provides a sole-source contract pathway with an unlimited ceiling for Vanilla procurements, operational services, and ongoing technological enhancements by any government end-user.

Vanilla UAS offers an unprecedented strategic multi-day ISR capability in a tactical Group III UAS system. Vanilla holds the world record for continuous unrefueled flight in its class (>8 days, >10,000 NM) and has 3x the payload capacity of legacy Group III systems. Vanilla is purpose-built to provide persistent, multi-sensor, over-the-horizon ISR with an attritable (low-cost) UAS.

The Vanilla UAS program has won a series of SBIR contracts from ONR, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and AFWERX on topics ranging from Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) to predictive maintenance modeling for ultra-endurance UAS. Non-SBIR programs include the integration of Air Launched Effects (ALE) and the development of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration.

If you are interested in hearing more, please contact Greg Pappianou, Platform Aerospace’s Chief Growth Officer (greg.pappianou@platformaero.com).

About Platform Aerospace

Platform Aerospace is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) dedicated to supporting the warfighter and its customers’ success. Platform is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified, and specializes in manufacturing, aviation modification and prototyping, and cutting-edge aerial ISR products.

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Vanilla UAS Awarded Phase III SBIR