Launched in January 2026, the Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge called for proposals to drive new methods for developing tactical missile capabilities that are more affordable and adaptable to evolving operational demands.

The competition sought proposals not for completed missile designs, but for novel development methodologies and executable plans capable of underpinning future all-up-round (AUR) missile concepts.

The challenge attracted participation from more than 40 organizations representing for-profit U.S. businesses, and academic and research organizations. Submissions reflected a wide range of innovative approaches to missile development, with an emphasis on production-ready methodologies and executable pathways to fielding.

Following a competitive down-select process evaluating strength, credibility, and feasibility of the approach, five finalists pitched their concepts to a judging panel.

“The NPS-ONR Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge underscores the value of engaging industry in new ways,” said Kaitie Penry, NPS Director of Emerging Technology and Innovation. “The winning submission highlights how innovative thinking and working with NPS can help focus and accelerate prototypes and concepts into more affordable, adaptable capabilities to meet today’s security challenges.”

Advancing Tactical Missile Innovation

Anduril distinguished itself through a methodology that effectively integrates advanced development processes, scalable production considerations, and alignment with near-term warfighter requirements.

Anduril’s pitch highlighted a mature, credible and executable end-to-end methodology, and demonstrated the ability to integrate digital engineering, modeling and simulation, and flight testing into a coherent product development pipeline.

Anduril’s approach demonstrated the potential to deliver:

• Affordability — reducing development, production, and sustainment costs.
• Adaptability and scalability — enabling rapid production growth and mission responsiveness.
• Operational relevance — directly supporting current and emerging warfighter needs.

"New approaches to design that emphasize affordability, producibility, and operational relevance are critical to meeting today's national security challenges,” said Shelby Ochs, Senior Manager of Advanced Effects at Anduril. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Office of Naval Research and Naval Postgraduate School to deliver disruptive, affordable, and scalable capabilities to the warfighter at speed.”

As the recipient of the prize challenge award, Anduril will receive $200,000 provided by ONR to continue their efforts.

In addition to the monetary award, companies that submitted viable proposals may be considered for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NPS, enabling further collaboration with naval research and acquisition partners.

"Critical warfighter needs demand faster, more practical ways to move from idea to application,” added U.S Marine Corps Maj. Dillon Pierce, Ph.D. whose NPS dissertation became the basis for the prize challenge. “This challenge highlighted innovative ways to do just that, surfacing promising industry concepts and methodologies focused on delivering capability and capacity to the warfighter faster and more affordably."

The Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge underscores the U.S. Department of the Navy’s commitment to leveraging non-traditional acquisition pathways and industry collaboration to rapidly identify and advance disruptive capabilities for national defense.

Program support for the Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge was provided by the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation under a Partner Intermediary Agreement with NPS.

Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is located in Monterey, California, provides defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership, and warfighting advantage of the naval service. Established in 1909, NPS offers master’s and doctorate programs to Department of War military and civilians, along with international partners, to deliver transformative solutions and innovative leaders through advanced education and research.