The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has named 10 finalists in the Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Low-Cost Sensing challenge launched in May.
The effort is coordinated with US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the US Army, US Navy, Marine Corps, and Indo-Pacific Command.
DIU Director Doug Beck stated that the initiative supports the US Department of Defense’s priorities by involving non-traditional defense companies to develop scalable, low-cost sensing technologies that can quickly and accurately detect threats.
Selected systems use a range of sensor types, including passive radio frequency, radar, and acoustic detection.
Optical, infrared, and multi-sensor technologies are also included.
The systems are expected to address critical detection needs while potentially reducing total ownership costs by 50 to 80 percent compared to existing DoD solutions.
“The evolving threat from unmanned aerial systems demands that we leverage every tool at our disposal – from cutting-edge commercial solutions to robust partnerships across government and industry,” Beck explained.
Testing Phase
Chosen from 118 applicants, the selected companies will advance to live testing of their sensor technologies during USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak 25.2 exercise in September.
The event will assess how the systems perform in real-world conditions, with prize money awarded based on results.
The 10 finalists moving forward in the challenge come from a range of companies working on innovative sensing technologies.
They include BLUEiQ, CHAOS 1, Fortem Technologies, Guardian RF, and Hidden Level.
Rounding out the list are MatrixSpace, REVOBEAM, Squarehead Technology, Teledyne FLIR Defense, and Thalrix.
In addition to prize awards, top-performing systems may be considered for further development through agreements such as Other Transaction Agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, or direct transition into operational use.
Ramping Up Drone Innovation
The US is stepping up efforts to strengthen military drone capabilities through a series of DIU programs focused on fast-tracking development.
Earlier this month, Washington unveiled 18 domestically built drone prototypes designed for quick deployment, developed in collaboration with industry.
Primarily utilizing commercial, off-the-shelf parts, these systems transitioned from concept to prototype in just 18 months.
