The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in collaboration with the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), has launched a challenge to identify solutions for scalable, cost-effective unmanned aircraft system (UAS) detection, identification, and tracking.
DIU says the challenge aims to “enhance the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) counter-UAS (C-UAS) capabilities while addressing cost and scalability limitations associated with traditional radars, optical sensors, and radio frequency detection systems”.
DIU Lead for C-UAS, Matthew Way, explained the need for this capability in the joint force, “DoD needs more options for low cost C-UAS sensors that can augment our more exquisite capabilities to provide earlier warnings and indicators,” said Way. “We understand there may be trade-offs in detection range and accuracy to drive down costs versus positively enabling a distributed sensing concept.”
The solicitation closes on May 20. A team of subject matter experts will evaluate applicants and select up to 10 finalists. This group of finalists will receive a portion of the overall funding to help cover their participation in NORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak exercise in September 2025. The top performing vendors at Falcon Peak will compete for the remaining prize funding.
For more information
