Army Moves Toward Recurring Counter Drone Technology Evaluations

According to reports, the Army is moving to formalize recurring competitions designed to speed the identification and deployment of counter-drone technologies as small unmanned systems continue to evolve.

Rapid advances in drone mobility and coordinated use have placed a strain on acquisition models that rely on long development cycles. Officials involved in the process indicated that a structured competition schedule would allow faster assessment of emerging tools without waiting years between evaluations.

Rather than concentrating on a single category of equipment, the effort spans technologies intended for both individual soldiers and unit-level deployment. These include portable detection devices, vehicle-mounted sensor systems, and electronic warfare tools built to operate in close proximity to friendly forces.

Participation has drawn interest from a wide range of vendors, reflecting an effort to preserve optionality. Industry participants indicated that maintaining multiple technical pathways reduces risk in environments where threat behavior can shift quickly.

Attention is also turning toward software-driven capabilities. Fire control integration, sensor coordination, and electronic attack management are viewed as central to improving system effectiveness across formations.

Concern over coordinated drone groups continues to influence priorities. Sources said layered defenses remain the preferred approach, combining detection, disruption, and interception to address multiple threats within limited response windows.