DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Darkflite announces it has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1,249,911 focused on its tilt-rotor drone platform with advanced on-board autonomy and modular mission systems to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on August 28, 2025, Darkflite will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

“We are honored to partner with AFWERX and the Department of the Air Force on this Phase II contract award. Our advanced logistics drone technology will bring a new level of autonomy, resilience, and mission flexibility to the DAF’s medical logistics and emergency response operations. Being based in Michigan, we are proud to contribute to the nation’s leadership in advanced aerial mobility and look forward to demonstrating how this technology can enhance readiness and efficiency for the Air Force.”