RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR)

About this funding opportunity

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals to develop radiofrequency (RF) system architectures that employ and maintain optical timing precision in form factors and ruggedness traceable to compact mobile land, air, and space-based defense platforms. Proposals to the Radiofrequency (RF) Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) program should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in vibration-hardened, ultra-low phase noise photonic oscillators; vibration-hardened, low phase noise ancillary analog and mixed-signal components; and high-performance analog and digital subsystem architectures that apply RAAPTR components to defense-relevant use cases and mission capabilities. Specifically excluded is research that advances non-optical methods of microwave generation or that results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. A Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) addendum provides additional details on the RAAPTR program. Please see Attachment A of this Program Solicitation (PS) for instructions on how to request the CUI Addendum. The Proposer must request the CUI Addendum by the deadline stated in the Overview section.

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Security and Defense.

Funding amount

This contract provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Aug 24, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME
• MidCaps
• Large Company
• Startups
• University
• Research Organization
• NGOs
• Public Authorities

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) is administered by Department Of Defense (DOD), listed via SAM.gov.