MatrixSpace has been named the active sensor winner in the US Army’s xTechCounter Strike competition, marking a significant step forward for portable, AI-driven counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
The award highlights MatrixSpace’s Expeditionary AI Radar and 360 AI Radar, which combine fast deployment, small size, weight, and power with AiEdge software to provide real-time situational awareness.
These systems seamlessly connect to the army’s FAAD-C2 network, the command-and-control system that links sensors and air defense units to detect and respond to threats.
Using the NATO-standard SAPIENT protocol, tactical units can track and classify threats in all-weather and contested environments.
Matthew Kling, Vice President and General Manager of AI Systems at MatrixSpace, said the competition demonstrated the company’s ability to give soldiers reliable, operationally ready airspace monitoring at the tactical edge.
The xTechCounter Strike Competition
The xTechCounter Strike competition, run under the US Army’s broader Operation Flytrap initiative, aims to fast-track scalable counter-UAS technologies through soldier experimentation, rapid acquisition, and operational transition.
Four companies were recognized in this round, each receiving $350,000 and placement in the army’s G-TEAD Marketplace to streamline procurement for US and NATO units.
Alongside MatrixSpace, Armaments Research Company won for “passive UAS detection,” using sensor telemetry to track unmanned aerial threats without actively emitting signals.
Meanwhile, AG3 Labs was selected for its “threat-simulated UAS” offering, drones that emulate enemy UAVs for training or testing defense systems.
Mountain Horse Solutions was recognized for another “passive UAS Detection” solution under the competition.
Each company brings a unique approach to countering unmanned threats, from active sensing and AI-driven detection to electronic disruption and multi-sensor integration, reflecting the army’s push to accelerate the development of battlefield-ready, interoperable solutions.
