If you have a business you can start by going through a program like SBIR (https://www.navysbir.com/ https://www.navysbir.com/) or STTR. The catch is that the N

If you have a business you can start by going through a program like SBIR (https://www.navysbir.com/ https://www.navysbir.com/) or STTR. The catch is that the Navy has to want to buy a replacement (i.e. I don't see VMS on the list of SBIR topics you could apply to solve). So that means you'd basically have to do business development first with an organization like NUWC Newport or NUWC Keyport (the undersea warfare centers who do submarine R&D) to drum up interest so that the government can issue an actual RFP or similar, and then you could bid to work on it. I'll be the first to admit it's super difficult but if you're interested you might also consider talking with a local NavalX Tech Bridge (see https://www.secnav.navy.mil/agility/Pages/tech_bridge.aspx https://www.secnav.navy.mil/agility/Pages/tech_bridge.aspx)