Innovation Challenge

III MEF is looking for creative ideas to hide commercial satellite internet terminals, especially Starlink/Starshield-type terminals.  

What can I submit?

Your submission should fall into one of the categories below. If you have an idea that contributes to reducing the signature of satellite terminals but does not fit neatly into one of these categories, submit it anyway. All ideas will be considered.

• Terminal covers: Ideas in this category should be removable covers for terminals that allow them to blend into the environment. Any environment (urban, jungle, etc.) is acceptable, though keep in mind the possibility for terminals to overheat or for covers to retain water after it rains.
• Camouflage objects: Ideas in this category should be fake objects, like rocks, air conditioners, etc. that terminals can be hidden inside and still operate. Ideas that involve mounting terminals on or in common objects are also of interest.
• Mounting kits: Ideas in this category should allow terminals to be quickly attached to the exterior or interior of buildings and vehicles in a way that does not leave permanent traces.
• Form factor improvements: Ideas in this category will allow terminals to be more easily deployed, such as ways to fit a standalone power, dish, and Wi-Fi router into one deployable casing. Power solutions that let terminals run off of 12-volt power are also desirable.

What can I win, and who’s eligible?

Successful entries may be awarded up to $5,000 from III MEF, with other awards possible depending on the value of the idea.

• Submissions may come from anyone; however, cash awards will only be paid out to U.S. uniformed service members. Non-U.S. military members of teams may receive alternate awards.
• You can submit multiple entries. Cash awards will be awarded on a per participant basis, though, not per entry. Other awards may be awarded per project.
• Teams may be of any composition – government civilian employees, service members, contractors, dependents, etc. The team must identify a U.S. service member as the sponsor for possible award purposes.
• This is a challenge, not necessarily a competition. Multiple ideas may receive an award.

How do I submit?

Email your entries to III_MEF_InnovationChallenge@usmc.mil no later than 2000 / 8:00 PM Japan Standard Time, 20 March 2026. You may update your challenge entry until the deadline, but please ensure that your first submission will stand alone as a valuable idea.

• There is no specific format for submissions.
• The more detail you provide, the better – a working prototype and details on how you made your design is going to be judged more favorably than a rough concept sketch alone.
• Prototypes are strongly encouraged. Please include photos of your prototype in your submission, and we’ll contact you to arrange for picking it up for testing and returning it to you afterward.
• If you work in teams, have one team member submit the idea and list all members in your email along with a rough breakdown of who did what, like “LtCol Puller: case design, Pvt Pyle: dish mount fabrication.”
• If you spent money to produce a prototype, please include an itemized receipt of expenses. Reimbursement is not guaranteed, but may be considered in determining the amount of cash awards an idea receives to account for expenses.

How will my idea be evaluated?

A group of experts will assess your idea. All submissions will be considered on the following criteria:

• Simplicity: How easy is it to transport the design, set it up, operate it, and remove it in real-world conditions?
• Sourcing: How easy is it to get materials to make your idea? Can they all be found on Okinawa? Do they require special shipping or purchasing, or are the materials freely available in large quantities?
• Manufacturing: How easy is it to produce your idea? Does it require specialized machining, specialist skills, or a long time to produce, or is it easily manufactured by anyone with the right materials and instructions?
• Speed: How much does your idea impact the upload and download speed of the terminal using it? Prototypes will be tested against a normal terminal, both dry and after your design has been soaked in water.
• Documentation: Did you provide a clear design that can be easily understood, and instructions on how to make it, along with an estimate of the materials required? How easy is your design for the average person to understand?
• Creativity: Is your idea new, or is it an adaptation of an existing idea? Note that submissions that take an existing concept and improve it are still valuable.
• Cost: All else being equal, cheaper designs are better.

No single criteria is more important than any other. A design that’s bad according to one criteria but outstanding in others is still worth submitting.

Winners will be announced no later than 20 April 2026.