Benchmark has been selected by SpaceWERX for an SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $3M, focused on the development of High-Energy Logistics Stage (HELS) in response to the Tactical High Orbit Fast Transfer (THOFT) solicitation, to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). 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, since June 26, 2025, Benchmark begins its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“This award allows us to mature HELS as a flexible orbital maneuvering asset, building on our propulsion heritage to meet emerging mission needs in high-energy space environments. HELS will be designed to rapidly transfer ESPA-class spacecraft beyond LEO within hours,” said Ryan McDevitt, Chief Technology Officer at Benchmark Space Systems.
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