SAN CLEMENTE, CA, July 21, 2025 – Swift Engineering has received a Phase II award through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to advance its Swift Ultra Long Endurance (SULE) platform system. The funding will support development and flight demonstrations of the SULE system, which is designed to operate in the stratosphere for extended durations. This effort reflects the interest in high-altitude platforms systems (HAPS) for surveillance, environmental monitoring, and communications support.
The SBIR program supports small businesses in developing and commercializing technologies that meet NASA’s mission requirements. The program funds flight demonstrations and the development of instruments related to HAPS.
“The resources and support of the NASA SBIR program are vital to driving technology innovations that are critical in addressing multiple challenges and opportunities,” said Hamed Khalkhali, president of Swift Engineering. “We are proud to have been involved in this program on multiple occasions in pursuit of delivering high-performance, cost-effective solutions.”
NASA considers HAPS platforms, including balloons and drones, imperative tools for Earth observation. These platforms collect data from the stratosphere, which are considered beneficial for monitoring ecological changes, climate patterns and emergency management.
Swift is designing, fabricating and flight testing the SULE UAS, targeting 30-day endurance, with the potential to decrease costs and increase data provided for defense and industrial applications. In 2024, SULE achieved an altitude of 55,904 ft. MSL (Mean Sea Level) on a 24-hour flight.
Swift Engineering was previously awarded a Phase I SBIR contract for the SULE capability demonstration in pursuit of long-endurance HAPS flight testing. The company has also earned SBIR awards for other technologies such as a combined hydrophone and CTD sensor; a heavy-lift, long-endurance UAS platform; a high-precision, wireless water monitoring system; an IoT-enabled buoy-based water sensor solution; a modular payload HALE UAS for scientific missions; and an expendable, long-endurance drone for military applications.
About Swift Engineering
Founded in 1983 and based in San Clemente, CA, Swift Engineering is an engineering firm specializing in the design, development, and production of advanced vehicles and systems. The company provides services across aerospace, defense, maritime, industrial, and commercial sectors. Its capabilities include autonomous systems, robotics, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), spacecraft components, and advanced composite manufacturing. Swift has developed and delivered more than 500 vehicles and integrated systems to clients worldwide. With a workforce of approximately 500 employees, the company generates an estimated annual revenue of $163M.