The US Army has tapped into the expertise of California-based Anduril Industries for a significant upgrade designed to enhance troop capabilities in tracking and neutralizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This crucial decision stems from a competitive evaluation process conducted by the Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit, where Anduril emerged victorious over rival firm Zone 5 Technologies.
The initiative aims to modernize the Army’s fire control solutions by integrating radar, sensors, and weapons functionalities to better counteract the increasing threats posed by adversarial autonomous systems. Lt. Col. Adam Samiof, product manager for the US Army’s counter-UAS program, emphasized the importance of this competition, stating that it provided a platform to rigorously assess innovative technologies in realistic operational settings. He noted that the goal is to ensure that soldiers are equipped with the necessary tools to maintain air superiority.
The new system is designed to initially focus on countering drones but is expected to expand into other short-range air defense missions over time. Col. Guy Yelverton, who oversees the US Army’s counter-drone office, stressed the continuous need to outpace emerging threats. He also mentioned that similar technology competitions will occur every two years, ensuring the Army remains aligned with advancements in drone warfare and innovations from the private sector.
While contract specifics have not been disclosed, industry sources highlight Anduril’s recent contract awarded by the US Marine Corps, valued at $642 million over ten years for a similar UAS countermeasure system, suggesting that the Army’s agreement could be of comparable magnitude. The new technology is set to replace the Army’s existing Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) solution, which was developed by Northrop Grumman. This company also participated in the competition with its own next-generation platform, AiON.
