The objectives of the AF SBIR Program include stimulating technological innovation, strengthening the role of small business in meeting DoD research and development needs, fostering and encouraging participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation, and increasing the commercial application of DoD-supported research or research and development results.

The DoD 10 Technology Focus Areas of interest are (proposals are not required to address topics in these 10 Technology Focus Areas of interests but these do represent Air Force Strategic priorities):

1.  Artificial Intelligence: Improve algorithms, address data quality, optimize human-machine coordination and disrupt adversaries' efforts.

2.  Autonomy: Address teaming of autonomous systems; machine perception, reasoning and intelligence; human and autonomy systems trust and interaction.

3.  Communications: Addressing high-performance, low power embedded processing and developing algorithms for self-configuring, self-healing and resource allocation.

4.  Cyber: Address behavioral issues, develop self-securing networks and develop methodologies to assess cyber effects and consequences.

5.  Directed Energy: Address power scaling, jitter reduction, laser size and weight, adaptive optics, beam propagation and target tracking.

6.  Hypersonics: Address high temperature materials, hypersonic vehicle manufacturing, air breathing propulsion and hypersonic guidance and control systems.

7.  Microelectronics: Develop economically competitive domestic manufacturing capabilities, improve radiation hardening and develop radio frequency (RF) technologies for specialty applications with nuclear, space and electronic warfare capabilities.

8.  Quantum Sciences: Address quantum clocks and sensors, quantum communications technologies and develop enabling technologies for quantum computing in the areas of cryogenics and photon detection.

9.  Space: Developing low earth orbit nano-satellites for missile warning, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation and communications.

10.  Biotechnology: applications related to disease prevention and mitigation, rapid emergency medical response and trauma management, environmental remediation, and advanced materials.