Pathfinder Systems, Inc. awarded Direct to Phase II Contract to develop Stealthy Long-Range Acquisition of Non-cooperating Targets

DENVER, Colorado - Pathfinder Systems, Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25 million focused on Stealthy Long-Range Acquisition of Non-cooperating Targets 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 (STIR) 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 June 27, 2024, Pathfinder Systems will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Pathfinder's SLANT capability for jet aircraft delivers an on-board, passive IRST sensor system capable of tracking and ranging aerial targets. Mounted into a captive AIM-9 missile, this sensor- and platform-agnostic technology increases the range of commercially available MWIR and significantly extends MWIR native detection. Our hybrid software solution combines AI with algorithmic techniques for the detection of all aircraft and provides a completely passive real-time range to target.

 

"Pathfinder is proud to deliver a near-term warfighting capability," said Sheila Jaszlics, President of Pathfinder Systems, Inc. "SLANT represents a transformative technology that will advance rapidly deployable IRST systems."
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About Pathfinder Systems, Inc.

Pathfinder Systems is a veteran and women-owned small business in Colorado, USA, with proven performance at the leading edge of software and systems engineering, technology, research, and development.

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more
information, visit afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $ 1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion
to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
 

Company Press Contact
Sheila Jaszlics
President
sheila@pathfindersystems.com