Air Force Calls for White Papers on Next-Generation Cyber Warfare R&D Project

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The Department of the Air Force is inviting industry to submit white papers for a long-term effort to design and develop next-generation cyber warfare capabilities under a new advanced research announcement, or ARA, titled Applications for Cyber Warfare: Genesis.

What Capabilities Does the Air Force Need?

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate, which issued the ARA on SAM.gov Monday, is seeking technologies that strengthen U.S. cyber preparedness, support joint operations, build cyber resilience, disrupt malicious cyber activities, and advance both cyber platforms and cyber weaponry.

The role of cyberspace in international conflict will be central to the discussions at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. The upcoming event will feature panel discussions with cyber experts from both public and private sectors. It will also have networking opportunities where attendees can meet and forge new partnerships with industry leaders. You can get your tickets to this critical GovCon event as early as today.

Targeted concepts include command and control capabilities, predictive analysis tools, cross-domain effects, intelligence processing technologies and high-assurance architectures.

Total funding is estimated at about $999 million across fiscal years 2025 through 2029, but individual awards are expected to range from $10 million to $50 million, with the possibility of awards up to $99.99 million. AFRL anticipates multiple awards.

White papers may be submitted any time before the September 2030 deadline, but AFRL recommends dates that align with projected funding cycles, with Dec. 30 being the cutoff date for fiscal year 2026.

Only white papers will be accepted, and full proposals will be submitted by invitation.