The US Army has announced that Armaments Research Company (ARC) has emerged as one of the standout winners in its xTech Counterstrike competition, which focuses on developing innovative technologies designed to detect and counter threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
ARC won in the “passive sensing” category with its AI-Enabled Weapon Sensor (AEWS). This advanced system transforms existing weapons into intelligent sensors that can identify, characterize, and autonomously cue responses to enemy drones. Notably, the AEWS minimizes the cognitive burden on soldiers in active combat, allowing them to focus more on operational demands.
The recognition came during a Phase 2 live experimentation event held in Germany, where ARC’s solution was evaluated among over 250 initial applicants and ultimately distinguished itself as one of 15 Phase 1 finalists who advanced in the competition.
As a result of its achievement, ARC has been awarded $350,000 in prize funding. Additionally, the company has been granted a place on the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate Marketplace. This marketplace serves as a vital US Army acquisition tool that expedites the procurement and deployment of technologies for military units operating in contested environments.
Mike Canty, the CEO of ARC, expressed his enthusiasm for the win, describing it as “a pivotal step toward the resilient, networked air defense architecture our warfighters need as the threat continues to evolve.”
The xTech Counterstrike competition is part of the Army’s broader Operation Flytrap initiative, which aims to drive promising counter-UAS technologies from early stages of development into field-testing and rapid acquisition.
In this latest round of the competition, four winners were acknowledged. MatrixSpace earned recognition in the “active sensing” category for its compact radar system, designed to provide small military units with expedited airspace awareness. AG3 Labs was awarded for its capability to deploy “threat-simulated UAS,” which features drones that imitate hostile UAV behavior for training purposes and systems evaluations. Mountain Horse Solutions was also acknowledged for its portable passive detection system that emphasizes multi-sensor cueing and user-friendly workflows.
The successes of these companies highlight the ongoing innovation and development in the realm of counter-unmanned aircraft systems, reinforcing the Army’s commitment to adapting to evolving threats.
