ALAMEDA, Calif. - Pyka announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II (D2P2) SBIR focused on DropShip, a long-range, multi-mission cargo UAS platform, to address 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 September 25, 2025, Pyka will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
Michael Norcia, CEO of Pyka, said, "We see this award as a catalyst to push the boundaries of what autonomous aircraft can deliver for national defense. Building on Pyka's proven commercial technology, we're excited to develop new capabilities that strengthen operational reach and resilience for the Air Force."
