BlueTIDE 2026 is seeking innovative companies developing technologies that support a collaborative integration opportunity across maritime, air, land, and cyber environments. Selected participants will demonstrate capabilities as part of a collaborative operational scenario where sensing, communications, autonomy, and defensive systems work together to identify threats, share data, and execute port security and cross awareness demonstration.

The 2026 BlueTIDE series will include four preliminary qualifying land-based demonstration events and a culminating Collaborative Integration Opportunity event on 27 August 2026 in Newport, RI.

Companies interested in participating in the series shall submit an application and supporting documentation, not to exceed five pages, describing their technology. Applications and supporting documentation will be evaluated based on technology maturity and applicability. Qualifying companies will be invited to participate in a virtual demonstration of their technology. These qualifiers will determine company participation in the Collaborative Integrated Opportunity. 

Multi-Domain Autonomous Systems (UxS)

Autonomous platforms and enabling technologies that support rapid deployment and coordinated operations across air, surface, subsea, and land domains.

Example Technologies:

• Autonomous surface, aerial, underwater, and/cross-domain ground systems
• Swarming and collaborative detection/interdiction
• Autonomous launch, recovery systems
• Modular mission payloads and sensor packages
• Edge computing and onboard autonomy
• Mission planning and multi-platform coordination tools

Counter-UxS & Defensive Autonomous Systems

Solutions that enable the detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation of unmanned threats across operational environments.

Example Technologies:

• Counter-drone detection and tracking systems
• AI-enabled threat detection and classification
• Maritime and port defense technologies
• Autonomous defensive platforms and layered defense systems

Multi-Domain Awareness Technologies

Technologies that enhance situational awareness across surface, subsurface, aerial, and cyber environments through sensing, data fusion, and real time analytics.

Example Technologies:

• Sonar, electro-optical, and acoustic sensors
• Distributed sensor networks and mesh systems
• Maritime domain awareness platforms
• AI enabled detection and tracking analytics environmental and oceanographic sensing
• Sensor fusion and edge analytics platforms

Modeling, Simulation & Digital Environments

Solutions that support digital experimentation, mission rehearsal, and system testing across complex operational scenarios.

Example Technologies:

• Digital twins for platforms and infrastructure
• Maritime mission simulation environments
• Synthetic testing environments for autonomous systems
• AI-driven scenario modeling and mission planning
• Operational data visualization and decision support tools