CFAs: RF Data Fusion for Command and Control Project (Canada)

Deadline: 20-Oct-2026

The Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are seeking innovative software-based solutions that can convert and fuse real-time radio frequency (RF) data into secure, standardized command and control formats. The challenge aims to improve interoperability and resilient data exchange across land, air, maritime, cyber, and space domains, particularly in contested environments where military communications may face bandwidth limitations, jamming, and interference.

About the RF Data Conversion and Fusion Challenge

Military operations increasingly depend on the ability to exchange reliable data across different domains and systems. However, RF communications can be bandwidth-constrained and vulnerable to interference and jamming. To address these challenges, DND and CAF are looking for software-based technologies that can transform real-time, domain-specific information transmitted over RF bearers into compact, structured, and machine-readable messages suitable for tactical networks. The solutions should support secure and interoperable communication while improving the ability of military forces to use timely information for operational decision-making. What Solutions Are Being Sought? The challenge seeks technologies, platforms, and integrated systems capable of converting, analyzing, and fusing RF data into secure and standardized command and control formats.

Proposed solutions should support:

- Real-time RF data conversion and processing. - Data fusion across multiple domains. - Compact and machine-readable messaging. - Secure command and control communications. - Interoperability across tactical networks. - Scalable and resilient communication systems. - Data-driven military decision-making. - Improved operational agility in contested environments. Which Domains Are Covered? The proposed solutions should support pan-domain operations across: - Land. - Air. - Maritime. - Cyber. - Space. The technologies should be capable of supporting evolving NATO and coalition interoperability requirements. Funding Available Funding is provided in phases according to the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the proposed solution.

The available funding includes:

- TRL 1–3: Up to $250,000 for early-stage development over six months.

- TRL 4–5: Up to $1.5 million for the design phase over twelve months.

- TRL 6–9: Up to $5 million for the build phase to validate prototypes.

A total of up to $6.75 million may be available as solutions progress through the different development stages. Technology Readiness Levels and Development Phases The phased funding structure allows solutions to progress according to their technological maturity. Early-stage technologies at TRL 1–3 can receive support for initial development. Solutions at TRL 4–5 can advance into the design phase, while more mature technologies at TRL 6–9 can receive funding for the build phase and prototype validation. This structure is intended to support the development of solutions from early concepts through more advanced technological validation. Who Can Apply? The challenge is open to a broad range of applicants, including: - Individuals. - Academic institutions and researchers. - Not-for-profit organizations. - Municipal governments. - Provincial and territorial organizations. - Industry organizations. All industry organizations are eligible except federal and provincial Crown corporations. What Should Proposed Solutions Demonstrate? Applicants should propose solutions that address the challenges associated with transmitting and exchanging information through RF communications in contested environments. Solutions should demonstrate potential to: - Improve interoperability. - Operate across multiple operational domains. - Convert domain-specific RF data into standardized formats. - Fuse and analyze real-time information. - Support secure communications. - Function effectively within tactical network constraints. - Scale to evolving NATO and coalition requirements. Why Is RF Data Interoperability Important? Military forces operate across multiple domains and rely on the rapid exchange of information between different systems. Bandwidth limitations, interference, and jamming can make this exchange difficult in contested environments. Software that can efficiently convert and fuse RF data into standardized command and control messages could help improve information sharing and enable faster, data-driven decision-making. The challenge therefore focuses on technologies that can strengthen communication resilience and interoperability across pan-domain operations. Key Facts About the RF Data Challenge

- Organizers: Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces

- Location: Canada

- Focus: Software-based RF data conversion and fusion

- Maximum total funding: Up to $6.75 million across development stages

- TRL 1–3 funding: Up to $250,000

- TRL 4–5 funding: Up to $1.5 million

- TRL 6–9 funding: Up to $5 million

- Early-stage duration: Six months

- Design phase duration: Twelve months

- Build phase: Prototype validation

- Operational domains: Land, air, maritime, cyber, and space

- Eligible applicants: Individuals, academia, not-for-profits, municipal governments, provincial and territorial organizations, and industry

- Exclusion: Federal and provincial Crown corporations

Frequently Asked Questions About the RF Data Challenge What is the DND and Canadian Armed Forces RF Data Challenge? It is an innovation challenge seeking software-based solutions that can convert and fuse real-time RF data into secure, standardized command and control formats. How much funding is available? Up to $6.75 million is available as solutions progress through the different development stages. How much funding is available for TRL 1–3 solutions? Early-stage solutions at TRL 1–3 may receive up to $250,000 for development over six months. How much funding is available for TRL 4–5 solutions? Solutions at TRL 4–5 may receive