Counter-UAS

DroneShield is pursuing two counter-drone procurement tracks: a U.S. Air Force requirement for mobile Immediate Response Kit equipment at Joint Base San Antonio and a place among three finalists in the Netherlands’ Counter Strikedrone Challenge. Neither opportunity has resulted in an award, and undisclosed U.S. quantities and values, competitive pricing, and DroneShield’s reported first-half losses are relevant to supplier and market assessments.

Sen. Mike Lee introduced legislation authorizing the National Guard, under governors’ direction, to conduct counter-UAS operations such as jamming, interception, and disabling drones. The proposal could create future demand for equipment, training, and operational support, but identifies no funding or active procurement; opportunities depend on legislative progress and implementation.

A Federal News Network commentary warns that lengthy acquisition cycles and regulatory burdens may delay counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) innovation and fielding. It recommends modular solutions and clearer procurement pathways for small and midsized firms; separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered reviews of sole-source 8(a) contracts valued above $20 million.

AeroVironment reported a $405 million international order for LOCUST X3 counter-drone laser systems, including an in-country sustainment depot, while the Navy awarded up to $293 million in ship maintenance and modernization work. Additional signals include an Air Force Research Laboratory evaluation contract, an AFRICOM casualty-evacuation demonstration planned for early FY2027, and Navy confirmation hearings on November 17 and 19.

MSI discussed its EAGLS air-defense platform and development of EAGLS X, emphasizing modular and cost-effective counter-drone capabilities. No government customer, contract value, solicitation, procurement timeline, or contact information was identified, making this a technology-development signal rather than an active opportunity.

DHS is preparing security technology and counter-UAS capabilities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, applying lessons from the FIFA World Cup and emphasizing coordination, shared information, and affordable detection and mitigation. The effort is valued at $1.5 billion, with about $250 million in planned FY2027 funding to expand state and local capacity; no open solicitation is identified.

Parsons says it is moving its Federal Solutions business toward higher-margin hardware and software while reducing lower-margin services. Its 26 OTAs, $1.6 billion OTA award baseline, and largely funded backlog highlight potential activity across defense technology, but the source names no specific agencies, solicitations, or production-transition dates.

President Donald Trump is urging Senate leaders to advance a proposed $350 billion defense reconciliation package during the lame-duck session, but financing disagreements have stalled the measure. Its priorities could indicate future demand in several defense markets, but the package is not enacted funding and does not establish a procurement opportunity.

The Pentagon-led JIATF-401 is drawing on Intelligence Community assessments to help agencies define mission- and location-specific counter-UAS needs before buying or fielding commercial systems. The effort may influence future evaluations and an approved-technologies list, but no solicitation, funding, or procurement contact has been announced.

Allen Control Systems is developing high-energy laser capabilities for counter-drone missions, adding a potential competitor to the directed-energy market. The launch is an early market signal—not a solicitation or award—and ACS has not disclosed a design, customer, funding, or schedule.

NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre is using Ukrainian forces and unmanned surface vessels in adversarial red-team exercises to test alliance tactics and accelerate adaptation. The activity points to capability priorities in counter-drone defense, unmanned maritime systems, and anti-submarine warfare, but identifies no solicitation, award, funding amount, or procurement timeline.

The Department of War, through JIATF-401, awarded DroneSec work to track and analyze adversary unmanned systems; the contract value and number were not disclosed. The award adds an intelligence-analysis component to a broader counter-drone portfolio that includes 10 September IDIQ awards with a combined ceiling of up to $4.15 billion.

JIATF-401, the Army C5ISR Center, the FBI, and other partners conducted counter-small UAS training and an operational assessment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 15–18, 2026. The activity highlights installation-level needs for detection, response training, and potential system integration, but identifies no solicitation or active procurement.

Five federal departments signed an MOU to coordinate counter-UAS technology evaluation, testing, data sharing, and deployment, with aviation safety and airspace deconfliction built into the process. No solicitation, funding, contract value, or procurement schedule was announced, but the effort points to future demand for affordable, interoperable detection and mitigation capabilities.

The Marine Corps Training and Education Command established teams to develop and standardize small-UAS and counter-UAS training across the force. The announcement signals an institutional focus relevant to robotics, counter-drone, testing, and training vendors, but identifies no solicitation, award, or funding amount.

At the November 10–12 Airport Counter-Drone Exchange, UNIFY.C2 is demonstrating a command environment that combines radar, RF-cyber, and Remote ID capabilities. The event offers airport security and procurement stakeholders a chance to assess interoperability and operational needs, but no solicitation or contract award has been announced.

A corrected November 5 memorandum directs **Department of Defense** components to accelerate counter-UAS procurement and fielding decisions, document delays or denials as a “risk of inaction,” and report them to **JIATF-401**. The memo changes the route for completed legal reviews but announces no solicitation, award, or funding; contractors should monitor implementation for potential follow-on requirements.

FEMA has made $250 million available to states for counter-UAS capabilities protecting critical infrastructure and major public events, with applications due November 16, 2026. Contractors are not direct applicants, but state and local implementation may create demand for integrated sensors, shared airspace awareness, training, and equipment sustainment ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Powerus received an $82 million order under an existing U.S. government IDIQ contract, its second order under the vehicle. The procurement combines counter-UAS systems with support equipment, operator training, and field-service support, signaling demand for U.S.-manufactured, NDAA-compliant capabilities and lifecycle services.

NATO’s Communications and Information Agency selected five suppliers for a 16-lot counter-drone framework, with Alta Ares receiving six lots. Member governments can purchase or lease listed systems through the catalogue without a new competition, but the framework is not a firm order and no purchases have been completed; listed unit prices range from €1.6 million to €25 million.

DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate tested commercially available counter-UAS technologies with first responders through its National Urban Security Technology Laboratory and SAVER program. The findings are intended to inform purchasing decisions and use of DHS grant funds, but DHS announced no solicitation, award, funding amount, or procurement contact.

Kyiv-based CODE380 developed a 290-gram software-defined radio receiver that reportedly intercepts unsecured analog video from some Russian drones at ranges of up to 10 kilometers on selected frequencies. The reports identify no government buyer, solicitation, contract value, or procurement contact, making the device a technology and requirements-development signal rather than an announced opportunity.

The U.S. Army awarded AeroVironment a reported $464.8 million OTA in September 2026 to move its Enduring-High Energy Laser program into production, with Leonardo DRS providing integration and power and thermal-management support. The reported plan for 12 systems signals demand for specialized mobile directed-energy components, but no direct Army solicitation or subcontract value has been disclosed.

Systems Planning & Analysis CEO Rich Sawchak told Washington Technology that technical advisory providers are adapting to compressed mission timelines, including work in simulation and countering unmanned aerial systems. The interview highlights growing AI implementation and persistent adoption barriers, but does not identify a solicitation, award, contract value, or agency-specific requirement.

FEMA is offering $250 million through its FY2027 Counter-UAS Grant Program to expand drone detection and response capabilities nationwide. State Administrative Agencies are the only direct applicants, making early coordination with states essential for local agencies and vendors; applications are due November 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern.

NATO’s October 19–30 Digital Pillar Experimentation at Ādaži military base demonstrated 5G-enabled information sharing, drones, counter-drone systems, and AI-supported situational awareness. The activity signals allied interest in integrated digital infrastructure but announced no solicitation, contract award, or funding commitment.

House and Senate Armed Services Committee versions of the FY2027 NDAA include related proposals for U.S.-Israel defense technology research, testing, and integration, including subterranean threat detection, counter-UAS, and air and missile defense. The initiative is not enacted and identifies no funding, awards, or active solicitations, so contractors should track NDAA negotiations and later DoD or DHS acquisition activity.

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awarded Digital Force Technologies a reported $500 million IDIQ to provide counter-UAS and counter-small-UAS capabilities for the Domestic Shield Program. The award is not an open solicitation, but its marketplace framework may create follow-on task-order and integration opportunities for vendors with compatible technologies.

The Department of Homeland Security placed a purchase order with OpenWorks Engineering for its Vision Pace counter-UAS capability through Amentum’s DoD IAC MAC contract. The order signals demand for deployable drone detection and targeting technology, but the purchase value, award date, and deployment location were not disclosed.

The Navy and Anduril are co-investing in a submarine-component production plant aimed at expanding U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Meanwhile, the Army has awarded counterdrone contracts valued at over $4 billion, signaling substantial near-term demand for counter-UAS capabilities.

Leonardo DRS secured a prime position on NASA’s 10-year SEWP VI contract vehicle and a separate Joint Interagency Task Force 401 counter-UAS IDIQ with a $500 million ceiling. SEWP VI ordering begins November 1, 2026, but neither vehicle guarantees revenue; task-order flow and funded requirements will determine the opportunity’s value.

Defense News coverage points to interest in ground and aerial robotics, counter-drone capabilities, resilience to GPS jamming, and satellite communications for longer-range operations. The page identifies no solicitation, award, funding, procurement vehicle, or acquisition timeline, so it is a market signal—not an active bid opportunity.

Qatar is exploring a domestic defense-production hub and broader partnerships with the United Kingdom and other partners, prioritizing air defense, counter-drone systems, cybersecurity, and electronic warfare. The initiative could create future collaboration and investment opportunities, but no solicitation, contract value, or award timeline has been announced.

OpenWorks Engineering received a purchase order to provide its Vision Pace counter-UAS system in support of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, using Amentum’s DoD Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract. The award indicates federal demand for deployable drone-sensing capabilities through an existing contract vehicle; order value, quantity, schedule, and deployment locations were not disclosed.

The U.S. Army awarded L3Harris Technologies a three-year contract worth up to $60 million to advance its Xtended Range Counter-sUAS Missile interceptor. Phase two will test flight performance and assess compatibility with existing military platforms, creating potential openings for suppliers and integration and support providers.

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 assessed layered defenses against small unmanned aircraft systems at an undisclosed U.S. European Command operating location. The activity signals operational interest in integrated counter-UAS capabilities, but no solicitation, contract award, or funding was announced.

The U.S. Army awarded AeroVironment $464.8 million for production of more than 26 modular LOCUST X3 high-energy laser counter-drone systems under the E-HEL program. First delivery is expected by Q4 FY2027, with operational deployment targeted from December 2027 through spring 2028, creating near-term subcontracting opportunities across integration, power, cooling, sensors, training, and sustainment.

L3Harris Technologies and Skydio integrated Falcon IV radios and the Wraith waveform with Skydio’s X10D drone to support command-and-control, position-location data, and anti-jam operations in contested environments. The collaboration may inform future defense evaluations of interoperable UAS and tactical communications, but no government customer, contract, funding, or procurement schedule was announced.

The U.S. Army is ramping up its procurement efforts for advanced weapons and autonomous systems. The recent $729 million contract awarded to RTX highlights a significant push for integrated capabilities in counter-UAS and artillery, positioning contractors for prime opportunities in upcoming fiscal initiatives.

On September 29, 2026, JIATF-401 unveiled a series of significant counter-UAS contracts, totaling **$4.15 billion**. The awards will shape procurement strategies, especially as the Army emphasizes performance and integration amid a backdrop of budget uncertainty affecting timely task order execution.

The Defense Contract Management Agency successfully hosted an event showcasing Ornadyne's O1 unmanned aircraft system, which was misclassified as a bird by participating detection sensors. This highlights ongoing challenges in counter-UAS technology and provides valuable industry insights, although no procurement opportunities were announced.

The AUSA 2026 conference in Washington, D.C. will showcase key priorities for Army modernization, including counter-UAS and expedited equipment delivery. The event presents opportunities for defense vendors to connect with Army leadership and align with upcoming procurement initiatives.

Wrap Technologies is developing WrapShield, a counter-UAS platform that integrates advanced sensing technology and AI for enhanced drone detection. This platform could significantly improve defense procurement strategies by addressing detection gaps, particularly where traditional methods are inadequate.

The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) has awarded Digital Force Technologies a significant $500 million multiple-award IDIQ contract aimed at countering uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS). This contract, intended for future procurement under the Domestic Shield initiative, signals a robust commitment to enhancing military drone defense capabilities.

On October 6, 2026, DroneShield was awarded a three-year IDIQ contract with JIATF-401 to enhance counter-unmanned aerial systems capabilities. The contract has a ceiling of $500 million, but actual funding will depend on specific task orders issued. This deal underscores the increasing focus on securing military installations against UAS threats.

The U.S. Army has named Aeon, Destinus, and Palladyne AI as finalists in its xTech|Apex Intercept competitions. Demonstrations are scheduled for October-November 2026, with winners to be selected by December 31, underscoring opportunities for contractors in counter-UAS and interceptor technologies.

On September 29, 2026, **JIATF-401** awarded multiple Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts as part of the Domestic Shield initiative for counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). These awards, with values between **$150 million** and **$500 million**, will support critical force protection operations both domestically and internationally. The contracts emphasize the need for open architecture systems, providing opportunities for various suppliers in the defense sector.

The 3rd Annual Counter UAS Middle East & Africa Conference will take place in Amman, Jordan, on June 29-30, 2027. This conference will enable government procurement officials and defense contractors to engage with key stakeholders while addressing regional drone threats and counter-UAS procurement priorities, signaling increased investment in drone defense technologies.

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Project PANOPTES, a £5 million competition targeting innovative C-UAS solutions. This initiative opens procurement opportunities for contractors in the defense sector, emphasizing modular and integrated architectures.

Draganfly Inc. is increasing its footprint in the U.S. defense market with advanced drone systems. Their adoption of the Flex FPV system by U.S. defense units could lead to increased procurement opportunities, particularly for counter-drone technologies, aligning with federal emphasis on addressing aerial threats.