
Guardian RF Selected for AFWERX SBIR Phase II Award
to Secure Low-Altitude Airspace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Washington, DC) – Guardian RF announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in the amount of $1,195,000, focused on Guardian RF’s passive radio frequency (RF) drone detection system to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The project addresses the Department of the Air Force’s need to secure low-altitude airspace at operationally sensitive sites.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within 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 May 20, 2025, Guardian RF will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“We’re proud to contribute to the next generation of security at one of the U.S. Space Force’s most critical launch facilities. This award brings our battle-tested platform home to Vandenberg Space Force Base, while advancing key integrations with Picogrid’s Legion system—ensuring protection from the public-safety and national security threats posed by drones.”
— Lucas Raskin, CEO of Guardian RF
About Guardian RF
Guardian RF develops and manufactures passive radio-frequency sensors that detect, locate, and classify unmanned aerial systems. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Washington, DC, our company delivers low-power, modular detectors with AI-driven signal processing, enabling cost-effective, scalable C-UAS coverage for military, critical infrastructure, and border security customers.
About SpaceWERX
As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs 40 military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457 million budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has executed 1,106 contracts worth more than $897 million to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit spacewerx.us.
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 five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit afwerx.com.
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.
“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.”