August 08, 2025
SmartBeam-QRC™ is an AI-driven, quantum-resilient, covert communications platform engineered to provide secure, low-probability-of-detection/interception (LPD/LPI) and anti-jam (AJ) radio frequency (RF) links for autonomous and crewed systems operating in contested electromagnetic environments. Developed under NAVAIR SBIR Phase II (Contracts N6833524C0170 and N6833525C0170), the system integrates advanced software-defined radio (SDR) capabilities, AI-controlled adaptive beamforming, and Isidore Quantum® CNSA 2.0-compliant encryption to enable protocol-free, tamper-resistant, covert communications.
Why it matters
Operating unmanned and manned systems in contested RF environments is getting harder—adversaries use jamming, interception, and quantum-era cryptography.
Legacy radios are vulnerable: high detectability, manual key loads, and no quantum‐resilience.
The SBIR Phase I/II award from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) gives this initiative procurement momentum.
What we're doing
Project: Smart Beam-QRC™ – LPD/LPI & Anti-Jam Radio Platform
An AI-driven, quantum-resistant communications system with adaptive beam-steering and software defined radio (SDR) for low probability of detection/interception.
Designed for unmanned aerial (UAV), surface (USV), and underwater vehicles (UUV), as well as mobile command posts in GPS- or SATCOM-denied environments.
Eliminates traditional crypto key-load burdens: ephemeral keys, protocol-agnostic encryption, reduced COMSEC overhead.
Demonstrated in live naval exercise “Silent Swarm 2025” with a three-fold improvement in LPI/LPD and a 60× increase in instantaneous bandwidth vs standard SDRs.
The result
Covert RF links that are harder to detect, harder to jam, and secure against quantum threats.
Size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized for integration across multiple domains.
Acquisition readiness aimed for FY 27, with TRL 7 demonstration expected Q1 FY26.
Field testing has validated the platform’s performance advantages. During the U.S. Navy’s “Silent Swarm 2025” exercise, SmartBeam-QRC™ was successfully integrated into a HAVOC AI USV, demonstrating its ability to maintain secure, low-signature communications in a live, multi-domain operational scenario. Measured improvements include a threefold enhancement in LPI/LPD characteristics and a sixtyfold increase in instantaneous bandwidth over standard SDRs. These capabilities make SmartBeam-QRC™ at least four times harder to detect than conventional protocol-based radios, directly addressing U.S. Navy requirements for resilient, adaptive, and future-proof communications under JADC2 and Ghost Fleet Overlord initiatives.
Why you should care
For DoD: Enables resilient C2 (command & control) in high-threat spectrum environments under JADC2/Ghost Fleet strategies.
For procurement: Clear SBIR funded path into Phase III sole-source contracting.
For platforms: Integrates into unmanned systems and command nodes, reducing detectability and enhancing autonomy.
The system’s adaptability extends beyond military applications. In commercial sectors, SmartBeam-QRC™ can secure communications for critical infrastructure operations, including offshore oil and gas platforms, autonomous shipping, 5G/6G telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. Its scalability allows deployment in both manned and unmanned systems, supporting mission profiles where signal concealment, data security, and resistance to electronic attack are paramount. By leveraging the same AI-driven RF deception and beamforming capabilities proven in military exercises, the platform ensures that sensitive operations remain shielded from interception and disruption.
SmartBeam-QRC™ is on track for TRL 7 demonstration readiness in Q1 FY26, with full acquisition readiness projected for FY27. Target transition programs include Navy UxS communications modernization, Ghost Fleet Overlord, USMC mobile command nodes, and distributed maritime operations. By combining AI-enhanced beam agility, quantum-resistant cryptography, and a low-SWaP modular form factor, SmartBeam-QRC™ delivers a next-generation communications capability that enables secure, autonomous mission execution across air, surface, and subsurface domains—ensuring operational advantage in the spectrum-contested battlespace of the future.
Ascendant Bandwidth Advantages:
Stealth: Minimizes electromagnetic signature to avoid detection by adversary sensors
Resilience: Adapts in real-time to jamming, interference, and electronic warfare threats
Security: Employs Isidore Quantum for quantum-resistant encryption to protect mission data from present and future cyber threats
Flexibility: Supports multiple domains—air, surface, and subsurface—with scalable, low-SWaP configurations
Autonomy Enablement: Maintains signal integrity and coordination for uncrewed systems without reliance on GPS, SATCOM, or human relays
Resistance to Jamming: Employs spread spectrum methods and frequency hopping to make it significantly harder for adversaries to jam communication signals, maintaining continuity of mission-critical operations.
How to engage
A Federal Agency may enter into a Phase III SBIR/STTR agreement at any time with a Phase I OR II Awardee. A subcontract to a Federally funded prime contract may be a Phase III award.
Step 1 Requirements Document: Prepare a Statement of Work (SOW), Statement of Objectives (SOO), or Performance Work Statement (PWS), or use our automated tool to generate a document
Step 2 Market Research: Use this page as your market research, or view a list of other eligible projects, then request a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) from Forward Edge-AI
Step 3 Funding: Performed by the government
Step 4 Sole Source Justification: A Memorandum for the Record is required in lieu of a J&A or SSJ
Step 5 Provide Requirements Package to Contracting Officer: Performed by the government
Step 6 Solicitation: Performed by the government
Step 7 Pre-Negotiation Memorandum: Use GSA CALC as a benchmark to determine fair and reasonableness of our ROM
Step 8: Contract Award: Performed by the government
Language for Step 4 (Determination and Finding):
Artificial Intelligence (Anomaly Detector, Deep Reinforcement Learning Agent), beam steering antenna, Counter Electronic Warfare, Encryption, cybersecurity, Frequency Hopping, 5G and FutureG, Low Probability of Detection/Low Probability of Interception (LPD/LPI), neuromorphic processor, O-RAN, physics-based models, phased array antenna, quantum resistant, Radio Frequency (RF), SATCOM, simulations, Software Defined Radio, 3GPP, Zero Trust, USV/UUV, UMV, UMAA
Autonomy, Command, Control, Communications (C3), C4ISR, Contested Logistics, Cyber Security, Distributed Sensing and Communications (DSaC), Telecommunications. Includes testing for Electromagnetic Compatibility EMC/Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) with NATO and coalition partner systems
List of Phase III contracts awarded so far
Come back soon
SBIR DATA RIGHTS:
Awarding Agency: Department of the Navy
Contract Number: Phase I - N6833524C0170, Phase II - N6833525C0170
Contractor Name: Forward Edge-AI, Inc.
Contractor Address: 10108 Carter Canyon, San Antonio, TX 78255
Expiration of SBIR Data: 10 January 2045
Protection Period: 20 years from award of contract on 10 January 2025
The Government's rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data or computer software marked with this legend are restricted during the period shown as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of the Rights In Other Than Commercial Technical Data and Computer Software–Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program clause contained in the above identified contract. After the expiration date shown above, the Government has perpetual government purpose rights as provided in paragraph (b)(5) of that clause. Any reproduction of technical data, computer software, or portions thereof marked with this legend must also reproduce the markings.
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Keywords:
SmartBeam QRC
Smart Beam QRC
Smart Beam
SmartBeam
Navy - SBIR Phase I/II Smart Beam QRC
LPD/LPI
LPI/LPD
Anti-Jam
Artificial Intelligence
Beamforming
Beam Steering
FPGA
C5ISR
C6ISR
C2