Military marketplace for counter-drone tech makes its debut
The Pentagon’s task force focused on defeating unmanned aerial systems announced Tuesday that its hub for military personnel to buy anti-drone technology reached initial launch.
The Defense Department billed the “Counter-UAS Marketplace” as an online platform where its personnel can purchase mission-specific anti-drone tech from a “growing catalog” of more than 1,600 items while avoiding “the lengthy contracting process typically associated with defense procurement.”
The marketplace was announced by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, an Army-led program established last year intended to proliferate the military’s counter-drone stock in tandem with other federal offices. The press release, which said the new platform has reached “initial operational capability,” did not specify the equipment currently available.
“The JIATF 401 [counter]-UAS marketplace is a critical step forward in our whole-of-government approach to countering the threat of small drones,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, JIATF-401 director, according to the release. “Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors and mission command systems into a responsive, interoperable network that protects service members and American citizens alike.”
The announcement comes amid significant military and public attention toward defending against drones.
Pentagon leadership recently expanded authorities for base commanders to bolster installation security against unmanned aerial systems. In recent years, high-profile drone sightings over stateside military bases alarmed top military officials who reported hundreds of incursions.
Last month, a DOD watchdog urged “immediate attention” from Pentagon officials to address inconsistent policies meant to protect critical military assets in the United States. A spokesperson for JIATF-401 told DefenseScoop at the time that it had addressed many of those concerns before the inspector general report.
Earlier this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection shot down what several news outlets reported were party balloons with a military laser on-loan from the Pentagon near El Paso, Texas. DefenseScoop first reported it was CBP that shot at the object.
The episode revealed interagency turmoil over the use of the weapon near a major airport. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a 10-day flight restriction for El Paso International Airport, which ended up only lasting hours as various parts of the federal government issued contradictory information about the incident.
Officials said users of the counter-drone marketplace can peruse different equipment, review technical specifications and compare contract options between vendors on the platform.
Access to the platform requires a Common Access Card or other government-issued smart card, according to the release. It was not immediately clear if that meant anyone with those basic military credentials could buy c-UAS material from the marketplace.
“Building and maintaining the [counter]-UAS marketplace has been a collaborative effort focused on delivering a user-friendly and effective tool for the warfighter,” said Army Maj. Matt Mellor, the lead acquisitions specialist for JIATF 401, according to the release. “This is about getting the best technology into the hands of those who need it as quickly as possible.”
