The US Army has awarded 10 defense companies contracts worth $4.15 billion to expand counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities at domestic military bases and critical infrastructure.
The Pentagon named Allen Control Systems, Digital Force Technologies, DroneShield, L3Harris WESCAM, Napatree Technology, RADA Technologies, and SRC, as industry partners, with each receiving a $500 million base award.
Echodyne and PVP Advanced EO Systems also secured $250 million contracts, while Smart Shooter landed a $150-million deal.
The awards support Domestic Shield, a US Department of Defense initiative designed to safeguard the homeland from low-cost drone threats.
Launched in partnership with the Pentagon’s dedicated counter-drone unit, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the multi-vendor framework has a maximum ceiling of $7 billion. It allows military branches, federal agencies, and allies to rapidly procure commercial air defense technologies.
The systems covered by the effort span a layered defense ecosystem, including robotic weapon stations, optical rifle sights, compact radars, long-range tracking cameras, and command-and-control software.
Officials expect to award additional contracts under the defined threshold through next month, maintaining competition among suppliers and preventing proprietary barriers across the military services.
“This multi-vendor marketplace enforces strict open architecture standards, breaking proprietary vendor lock, and ensuring new technologies can immediately integrate into our existing defense networks,” US Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Assistant Secretary Brent Ingraham stated.
“By driving continuous competition among both prime vendors and non-traditional commercial innovators, we are securing the best value for the American taxpayer and ensuring our warfighters remain ahead of our adversaries.”
