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US Army Seeks Next Generation Counter-Small UAS Missile (NGCM)

Wednesday, August 5th, 2026

Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires, Capability Portfolio Executive (CPE) Defensive Fires, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Product Office has issued a Sources Sought Notice to industry seeking information on technologies Next Generation C-sUAS Missile (NGCM) solution.

This will inform a requirement for the development, integration, demonstration and production of extended-range, quick-response, missile to defeat group 2 and group 3 small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) threats. The principal objectives for this effort are to develop, produce, and sustain a missile capability at extended ranges with rapid launch and reduced time-to-target over existing effectors.

The Counter – Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) is a capability fielded in response to the rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) threat, commonly referred to as drones. Objective capability detects, tracks, identifies, and defeats emitting and non-emitting UAS with radars, kinetic effectors, electronic warfare, and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) components to prevent surveillance or attacks against US and coalition forces.

There are two primary configurations: Fixed-Site Low, slow, small UAS Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) and Mobile Low, slow, small UAS Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) as well as multiple special systems devices.

The FS-LIDS configuration provides a C-UAS capability with modular, scalable architecture for employment at fixed sites. FS-LIDS incorporates the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD), Electromagnetic Warfare (EW), Multi-Mission Radar (MMR), EO/IR Cameras, and kinetic options.

The M-LIDS configuration is mounted on tactical vehicles for employment at the halt and on-the-move, providing a scalable capability at the tactical edge. M-LIDS delivers kinetic and non-kinetic effects incorporating many common components with FS-LIDS using the same baselines as the fixed site variant to detect, identify, and defeat small UAS.

The Army is looking for NGCM to be produced and integrated into the existing Coyote Launch System to provide extended range, rapid launch time, and reduced time-to-target over current effectors.

Technologies must be at least TRL 7 following the end of the initial developmental test series that ends in 4QFY27 which supports immediate deployment. The Government requires the missile be ready for ATEC evaluation by 4QFY27. The Government requires 50x missiles to be ready for Operational Assessment (OA) by 1QFY28.

Key Modernization Requirements: The missile must provide the following capabilities (Not Exhaustive/Prioritized):

• Enhanced Range and Altitude: The missile shall be capable of defeating group 2 and group 3 sUAS threats at >16km at 6km altitude (T), >25km at 8km altitude(O).
• Improved Launch Times: Missile shall be capable of leaving the rail within a launch response of <5 seconds from operator initiation.
• Affordability: The missile production cost should be less than $150K per missile in a quantity buy of at least 5,000 missiles.
• Integration: The missile must be compatible with the Coyote Launcher with minimal to no modifications. The missile must be compatible with C-UAS architecture: IBCS-M via the WES ICD, KuRFS (T), radar agnostic: Sentinel A3/A4, LTAMDS, PATRIOT, TPQ-53 (O). The missile should use an all-weather RF seeker.

FYI, the Government will require design documentation for missile components, the integrated missile system, and the All-Up-Round (AUR) configured to integrate with the launch platform.

Interested parties must respond by Aug 20, 2026 4:00 PM EDT.

Full information available at sam.gov.

Posted in Army, C-UAS | No Comments »

Fort Rucker’s Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course Ramps Up Tactical Drone Training

Tuesday, August 4th, 2026

The Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, is pushing forward with a series of updates aimed at strengthening tactical proficiency and meeting student expectations, said Army Staff Sgt. Mario Rostran, the course’s noncommissioned officer in charge, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Gatta, the course manager.

Rostran said the leadership team is focused on refining instruction in response to student feedback to ensure the course delivers the advanced-level rigor it promises.

“We’re continuing to improve the course,” he said. “We’re taking comments as we go and making sure [that] we’re meeting the standards students expect. The goal is to make this the advanced course it claims to be.”

Working alongside the team, Gatta is helping expand hands-on training and strengthen tactical application throughout the program.

“The most significant update is increasing the amount of physical, kinetic engagements from five to 12,” he said. “We have been working to refine the overall course to run smoother and provide the most up-to-date data.”

To meet the demand for advanced instruction, the course is shifting to a more tactical framework. Gatta noted the class will complete a culminating exercise this week at the drone training facility in Daleville, Alabama, marking a new experience for the students.

“This exercise will demonstrate a more real-world tactical environment and incorporate a close-quarters battle level of training, whereas previous emphasis has been heavily placed on outdoor live flights,” he said. “Our current goal is to make the training more tactical in nature. I believe we have several solid plans to build on moving forward.”

During this iteration of the course, students conducted live-engagement training using a purpose-built attributable system, the Shank 1.0, and C-4, a versatile plastic explosive. The event allowed students to apply lessons learned by flying the system, coordinating altitude and executing tactical employment against a designated target.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Riley Watts, assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment, spent months trying to enroll in the course. He said attending has given him a clearer view of how unmanned aircraft systems fit into the future of Army aviation.

“This is a great course to keep you relevant in today’s force,” Watts said. “Seeing how UAS is being implemented and utilized in today’s Army is eye-opening, and it shows you how important it is to understand these systems.”

Matthew Baldwin, a civil engineering major at the U.S. Military Academy, is attending to take tactical drone employment strategies back to the academy’s future applied systems and tactics team. His leaders pushed to send two cadets to the course to expand their understanding of drone employment and to share that knowledge when they return.

Baldwin, who hopes to commission into the air defense artillery branch, said the course offers a perspective that will be important to future Army operations.

“One of the big questions is how to counter drones effectively,” he said. “You’re talking about sending a very expensive rocket to take out a cheap drone. Understanding drones from the operator’s side, how they fly, what they look for, helps you understand how to counter them.”

Although he arrived with limited tactical flying experience, he said the hands-on instruction has significantly boosted his confidence.

“I didn’t know how to tactically fly. It’s a completely different flying style,” Baldwin said. “I feel better flying them, and now we’re trying to develop a training program to help build other pilots on our team.”

Beyond flying, Baldwin highlighted the value of the course’s mission-planning segments.

“I’ve really appreciated the planning side, [the military decision-making process], troop-leading procedures, what goes into reconnaissance,” he said. “I hadn’t learned a lot of that yet. Going into my [fundamentals of small-unit operations] class and eventually into the Army, my knowledge base is definitely better now.”

The Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course runs six times per fiscal year, providing recurring opportunities for soldiers seeking advanced UAS training. Upcoming course dates are Sept. 14-Oct. 2, and Nov. 2-20.

By Leslie Herlick, Aviation Center of Excellence

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, Training | No Comments »

EOTECH Supplies Electro-Optics to the US Army

Monday, August 3rd, 2026

Plymouth, MI (July 2026) – EOTECH, a division of American Holoptics and leader in advanced electro-optic sighting systems, today announced the recent sale of its OGL® (On-Gun Laser) systems, HWS® (Holographic Weapon Sights), and compatible magnifiers to the U.S. Army, totaling 14,000 units. The procurement was executed through multiple Transformation in Contact (TiC) buys to directly support the PAE Maneuver Ground portfolio’s surrogate optics project for M7, XM8 Carbine, and M250 Automatic Rifle.

This delivery provides critical day/night aiming, illumination, and engagement capabilities to Soldiers participating in the surrogate optics evaluation. The EOTECH systems include the rugged, combat-proven OGL for visible and infrared laser performance, industry-leading holographic sights for rapid target acquisition, and high-performance magnifiers—enabling enhanced lethality, improved positive identification, situational awareness, and operational flexibility in diverse and austere environments.

“EOTECH is proud to support the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts by delivering reliable, high-performance optics that meet the demanding requirements of today’s warfighters,” said Tod Litt; VP of Business Development-Intl/Govt for EOTECH. “These TiC acquisitions allow the Army to rapidly field advanced surrogate solutions, gather real-world Soldier feedback, and inform future requirements for a more sustainable and effective optics program across the force while replacing obsoleted systems currently being employed. We remain committed to American-made innovation that gives our Soldiers the decisive edge.”

The surrogate optics initiative for M7, XM8 Carbine, and M250 Automatic Rifle under PAE Maneuver Ground represents a key component of the Army’s accelerated acquisition strategy. By leveraging rapid procurement pathways like the TiC, the Army can efficiently evaluate technologies, mitigate risk, and accelerate the delivery of next-generation capabilities to maintain overmatch.

EOTECH’s holographic weapon sights and associated systems have a long history of trusted service with U.S. and allied forces. These latest deliveries underscore the company’s ongoing role in equipping America’s warfighters with cutting-edge tools designed for extreme durability, speed, and precision while proving that EOTECH’s capacity can scale quickly and efficiently to meet dynamic demand required of the U.S. Army.

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

BC Customs Selected for US Army ISV-H Prototype Agreement

Saturday, August 1st, 2026

Honeyville Utah – July 30th 2026 – BC Customs (BCC) in association with Raglan, has been selected for the U.S. Army Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) [W912CH-26-9-A061] to build prototypes for the Infantry Squad Vehicle-Heavy (ISV-H). The program has an approved Army Acquisition Objective of 606 platforms and is intended to provide critical operational capabilities, including exportable power to support tactical operations and onboard power to enable mission command while maneuvering.

Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal selected the BCC-Raglan team as one of the participants in the competitive, multi-phase Commercial Solutions Opening [W912CH-26-S-C005]. Under the solicitation, the Government anticipated the award of up to three OTA agreements and/or FAR-based contracts. As part of the agreement, BCC will manufacture and deliver three (3) ISV-H vehicles’ utilizing Raglan electronic control and export power systems for Government evaluation as the competition advances toward a potential follow-on production award.

“BC Customs was built around one simple idea: build vehicles that perform when the mission demands it. Our success has come from understanding the operator, investing in our capabilities, and never compromising on the quality of the vehicle we deliver. We look forward to working with Raglan to deliver the best vehicle solution possible to the Warfighter” said Brandon Johnson, CEO at BC Customs.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Power, Press Release | No Comments »

Army-Industry Collaboration Advances Counter-UAS Technology

Saturday, August 1st, 2026

FORT A.P. Hill, Va. — As the war in Ukraine and ongoing global conflicts demonstrate, the rapid proliferation of agile, armed unmanned aircraft systems has fundamentally transformed modern warfare.

In direct alignment with the Secretary of War’s guiding principles of urgency, speed, efficiency, competition and lethality, the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center is taking a leading role in ensuring our forces maintain absolute battlefield overmatch. By driving collaboration with defense technology developers, the center is rapidly delivering next-generation capabilities that will protect warfighters against these evolving lethal threats.

In May the Center executed its first-ever counter-small unmanned aircraft systems event, known as Warden, a collaborative government and industry assessment held at Fort A.P. Hill. It served as a venue for data collection, demonstration and evaluation of non-kinetic drone defeat technologies. Over the course of a week and half, a team of C5ISR Center counter-UAS experts collected data and performed field assessments of systems in development against various UASs flying mock attack runs.

For the 17 industry partners in attendance, Warden presented a unique opportunity to test their C-UAS systems against multiple types of aerial threats in real-world scenarios. They pitted their lasers, radio frequency jammers and an intercept UAS against more than a dozen types of UASs using a variety of realistic attack patterns, including a swarm of drones. During these challenges industry was constantly collecting performance data to refine and improve the systems and underlying algorithms.

Once the data was collected, each industry participant submitted their findings to the center for comparison to the actual UAS flight paths for ground truthing. By comparing this data against a verified baseline, C5ISR Center experts can assess each system’s performance against newly established performance criteria recently established by the Department of War and the Committee on Homeland and National Security of the National Science and Technology Council.

Called “The Standard Guidelines for Test and Evaluation of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technologies,” it establishes an apples-to-apples comparison for the industry participants to further refine their systems.

Improvements made as a result of Warden include detecting and identifying incoming UAS threats from longer standoff distances for better force protection; updated sensor algorithms to create more resilient C-UAS solutions; and enhancements to make it easier to share data between the sensors, warfighters in the field and command and control.

Other improvements aim to make sensor and laser effector systems easier for dismounted squads to use. These enhancements will deliver low size, weight and power systems that can be rifle-mounted or paired with wearable sensors to keep Soldiers’ hands free while jamming.

The C5ISR Center organizers fully appreciated the value of collaboration, which combined with a sense of friendly competition to find the best-of-breed solutions for protecting America’s warfighters.

And it was not only industry that reaped benefits of the Warden event. The event’s project manager, Clint Farrell said, “As an honest broker assessing these technologies, the C5ISR Center is able to learn, transparently, which systems are mature and where there are still gaps that industry needs to apply future investments.”

C5ISR Center Director Beth Ferry agreed. “Working together with industry, we are finding the best C-UAS technology for our Soldiers: high performance, low weight, easy data sharing. There are no failures for our industry partners, just opportunities to improve and ensure they meet Soldiers’ needs.”

By Brian Feeney, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, C-UAS, Guest Post | No Comments »

Jungle Tab Authorized for Wear Army-Wide

Friday, July 31st, 2026

According to a document shared by the Instagram account @tropiclightmeme, along with the following message, the US Army has added another authorized skill tab for graduates of Jungle School. Previously it was only authorized or wear in USARPAC. According to the authorizing memorandum, award of the Jungle tab is retroactive to graduates of Jungle Operations Training Center in Panama as well as the school in Hawaii.

The memorandum was digitally signed on 22 July, 2026 by Jules W. Hurst III, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

Is the Arctic tab next?

“We always said you’d hear it from us first. Now here it is. The Jungle Tab is now official and approved for wear across the entire United States Army. See memorandum, or below, for specifics. Now make land navigation graded again. -TLM3”

SUBJECT: Approval to Establish the Jungle School Tab

1. References:

a. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards)

b. AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia)

c. AR 25-30, (Army Publishing Program)

2. I approve the establishment and permanent Army-Wide wear of the Jungle Tab as an official skill tab. Retroactive eligibility is authorized for service members who executed unit level training at JOTC in Fort Sherman, Panama from 1990 until closure in 1999 or completed training at the Hawaii or Panama based Jungle Schools. Retroactive eligibility is granted for both courses.

Service Members will submit a Personnel Action Request (PAR) in IPPS-A with proof of completion (examples include graduation certificate, certificate of training, or unit orders) as supporting document. The approval authority for the PAR is the Battalion Commander or equivalent level commander.

3. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will incorporate the policy and procedures for the approval, presentation and wear of the Jungle Tab into the next revision of Army Regulation 670-1 and Army Regulation 600-8-22.

4. A copy of this memorandum has been provided to The Institute of Heraldry for historical reference.

5. The point of contact for this memorandum is LTC Christopher G. Montes, Assistant Deputy for Military Personnel Policy at (703) 697-5291 or christopher.g.montes.mil@army.mil.

Posted in Army, As Seen On Instagram, Profession of Arms | 7 Comments »

Ti Defense’s Military Virtual Trainer (MVT) Accepted into the U.S. Army Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) Marketplace

Thursday, July 30th, 2026

GOLDEN, Colo., July 17, 2026 — Ti Defense today announced the acceptance of its Military Virtual Trainer (MVT) into the U.S. Army Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) Marketplace. As an innovative virtual training platform designed to enhance tactical readiness and weapons proficiency, this milestone positions the MVT as an approved training solution available to support Soldiers, units, and training organizations seeking to improve weapon handling, marksmanship fundamentals, and operational effectiveness through immersive virtual training.

The MVT serves as a critical bridging capability until a Program of Record to replace the legacy Engagement Skills Trainer II (EST) can be established.

The LVC Marketplace serves as a centralized ecosystem for purchasing advanced training technologies that support the Army’s modernization objectives. The MVT’s inclusion reflects its ability to deliver realistic, scalable, and accessible training experiences that seamlessly complement live-fire ranges and traditional instruction.

“We are honored to be accepted into the U.S. Army LVC Marketplace,” said Greg Otte, Ti Defense CEO and President. “This achievement validates our commitment to providing high-quality, data-driven training solutions that help Soldiers build and sustain critical weapon skills.

By leveraging immersive technology, the MVT enables more frequent, cost-effective, and measurable training opportunities that support mission readiness.”

The MVT provides a comprehensive virtual training environment that allows users to practice weapon employment, target acquisition, decision-making, and engagement techniques in realistic operational scenarios in accordance with Service Doctrine. The platform delivers detailed performance analytics, enabling instructors and trainees to identify strengths, address skill gaps, and track progress over time.

Key benefits of the MVT include:

• Enhanced Readiness: Enables Soldiers to train more frequently outside traditional range schedules.

• Data-Driven Performance Measurement: Provides actionable insights through detailed after-action reviews and performance metrics.

• Scalable Accessibility: Offers configurations ranging from ultra-portable setups to fixed locations.

• Cost and Resource Efficiency: Reduces reliance on live ammunition and range availability while reinforcing foundational weapon skills.

• Immersive Learning Environment: Replicates operational scenarios that improve engagement and skill proficiencies.

As the Army continues to invest in innovative training technologies, the MVT’s presence in the LVC Marketplace expands opportunities for units to integrate virtual training into their overall weapons development programs. The platform is designed to complement existing training methodologies by providing Soldiers with an accessible, repeatable, and effective way to develop and maintain critical combat skills.

“Acceptance into the LVC Marketplace represents an important step in expanding access to next-generation training capabilities,” added Brent Ludlow, Military Business Development and Military SME at Ti Defense. “We look forward to partnering with Army organizations to help maximize training effectiveness and prepare Soldiers for the challenges of today’s complex operational environments.”

For more information about the Military Virtual Trainer and its capabilities, visit www.TiDefense.com.

Posted in Admin, Army, Press Release, Training | No Comments »

PAE Fires Establishes “Reveille Forge” to Accelerate Rapid Integration and Capability Delivery

Thursday, July 30th, 2026

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires has launched Reveille Forge\, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) at Redstone Arsenal. The now-operational facility capitalizes directly on the momentum from the Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT) led Operation Jailbreak’s Sprint 1 and the Army’s first ever API Marketplace\, which went live May 6. Designed to maintain a lean standing footprint\, Reveille Forge remains poised to surge support when directed to integrate new capabilities for immediate deployment to operational theaters. Operation Jailbreak’s first sprint focused on countering Unmanned Aerial System and Integrated Air and Missile Defense threats, bringing together more than 50 companies and 600 participants to “jailbreak” more than 74 previously isolated capabilities. Following this initial sprint, the team transitioned to “JB 1.5” to harden those capabilities at Redstone Arsenal. Now, PAE Fires is institutionalizing that momentum by establishing Reveille Forge as a permanent hackathon environment to support its specific portfolio objectives. This standing facility can operate independently or in conjunction of any future Jailbreak sprints.

Bringing Industry, Government, and Academia Under One Roof The driving organization behind Reveille Forge is PAE Fires, working hand-in-hand with its portfolio of existing prime contractors, emerging vendors, government stakeholders, and academia. Reveille Forge is purpose-built as a collaborative space where all stakeholders work side-by-side, building directly on the partnership model proven during Operation Jailbreak, where Industry competitors sat shoulder-to-shoulder in shared “validation zones.” “Operation Jailbreak proved what’s possible when industry, government, and academia stop working in silos and start working as one team,” said Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano. To formalize this continuous integration model, PAE Fires will work with existing partners and interested vendors through appropriate government-approved mechanisms to support collaboration, integration, and evaluation in an enduring, joint environment.

An “Integrate-First” Pathway for Emerging Vendors and Capabilities The launch of Reveille Forge represents the operationalization of a state-of-the-art IDE designed to develop and evaluate integrated cross-domain fires in real-time. Reveille Forge does two things at once: it institutionalizes the R2I integration process that Operation Jailbreak proved possible, and it establishes an “Integrate-First” pipeline for both established and emerging vendors. The “Integrate-First” pathway runs in three streamlined phases:

Initial Integration: Vendors demonstrate the viability of their product by successfully integrating it into the established government-owned architecture within Reveille Forge.

**Capability Review:**Once initial integration is demonstrated, government stakeholders will engage in formal capability discussions.

Testing: Valuable capabilities advance to the next phase of testing. Successful performance may inform follow-on testing, experimentation, acquisition decisions, or other government actions consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and competition requirements.

“For too long, system integration began late in the developmental cycle, something we focused on after components were already built,” said Director, Integrated Fires, Ms. Jeannie Sommer. “With Reveille Forge, system integration is the first thing we do, not the last. If a vendor can prove their capability works inside our architecture, they earn a fast path to a capability review and testing, which may ultimately get new technology into Soldiers’ hands faster.” “The reason behind all of this is simple,” Sommer continued. “The Soldier can no longer be the integration point. Reveille Forge isn’t just a building; it’s a commitment to our Soldiers. It’s our promise that the integration breakthroughs we achieved at Fort Carson won’t be a one-off. They’ll be the standard, every single day.”

Establishing an Enduring Integration Framework The establishment of an Integrated Development Environment at Reveille Forge marks a deliberate shift from event-driven innovation to enterprise-level integration. Operation Jailbreak proved that previously siloed systems could be connected in weeks, not years, and the API Marketplace laid the foundation. Lozano stated, “Carrying forward the momentum of Operation Jailbreak, Reveille Forge continues to drive early collaboration and integration, rapidly turning emerging technology into deployable capabilities.”

Story by Michael Kienzle

Portfolio Acquisition Executive FIRES

Posted in Acquisition, Army, Fires, Guest Post | No Comments »