Department of War Enhances C-UAS Marketplace to Expand Access to Validated Technologies

Aug. 3, 2026 |

The Department of War, through Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), is enhancing its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) marketplace to improve how military organizations, domestic law enforcement agencies, and international allies and partners identify, evaluate and acquire validated counter-drone technologies.

Developed in partnership with Kaizen Laboratories, the application helps users rapidly identify proven solutions, enabling clearer procurement pathways and faster fielding timelines.

These ongoing enhancements will make it easier for authorized users to search technologies by operational requirements, review validated performance data, and purchase C-UAS products through a streamlined process.

"JIATF-401 remains focused on delivering the right counter-UAS capabilities to the right users at the right time," said U.S. Army Maj. Mike Hapner, C-UAS marketplace lead for JIATF-401. "Our revolutionary marketplace, powered through our partnership with industry, creates a streamlined, trusted pathway for the Joint force, domestic law enforcement, and our international partners to rapidly discover and acquire validated technologies."

The C-UAS marketplace also supports the Secretary of the Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Fast Lane initiative by integrating with existing acquisition pathways to accelerate requirements development and reduce foreign military sales timelines. Through this process, industry partners submit their products for inclusion in the FMS Fast Lane. JIATF-401, in partnership with Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C), then evaluates and pre-clears these products for Foreign Military Sales, ensuring the capabilities are seamlessly integrated across the joint force, partners, and Allies.

The marketplace is part of JIATF-401's broader effort to strengthen collaboration across government, industry, and Allied nations while expanding access to trusted C-UAS capabilities. By providing a common platform for validated capabilities, JIATF-401 is helping ensure users can make informed acquisition decisions and respond more quickly to an evolving drone threat.

"Drones are a defining threat of our time," said Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401. "The proliferation of small systems and small drones and the threat that they pose both to critical infrastructure and to defense critical assets requires us to move faster in this space. In order to address this threat, we are expanding the counter-UAS marketplace to allow us to share best practices and equipment globally."

The JIATF-401 C-UAS Marketplace can be accessed here: https://cuas.mil/

Department of War Signs Framework Agreements With Northrop Grumman to Ramp Production of PAC-3, THAAD Components

Aug. 3, 2026 |

The Department of War, in cooperation with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, today announced two framework agreements to expand production capacity of critical missile-interceptor components. These historic agreements are critical to ensuring long-term demand signals flow to key suppliers, allowing Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) production to triple and quadruple, respectively. This effort to stabilize supply chains for our most important interceptors advances President Trump's and Secretary Hegseth's joint vision to build the Arsenal of Freedom, accelerate delivery of critical capabilities, and reinforce the Nation's integrated air and missile defense.

"Building the Arsenal of Freedom requires robust, dynamic supply chains at every level of the industrial base," said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. "Framework agreements with munition components suppliers like Northrop Grumman are vital to accelerating the tripling of PAC-3 and quadrupling of THAAD interceptor production."

This initiative is a direct application of the Department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which prioritizes engaging directly with key suppliers at all levels of the industrial base. Rather than relying solely on prime contractors, the Department is establishing strategic agreements with critical suppliers. This approach ensures the entire supply chain has the stability and long-term demand signals necessary to invest in advanced tooling, facility modernization, and workforce development to scale production.

Under these landmark agreements, the Department of War is driving significant capacity increases across two critical defense programs. First, for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), this framework agreement establishes a second source for Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). By providing a steady demand signal for a second source, the Department of War is driving stability and competition into the supply chain, creating a more resilient industrial base. Additionally, the agreement ramps up production of ignition safety devices for PAC-3. Second, for THAAD Component Production, this framework agreement will quadruple the production of THAAD interceptor structural components. This includes critical parts such as mid-body shells, muzzle covers and rail car assemblies.

This initiative demonstrates the Department's revitalized Acquisition Transformation Strategy, executed in collaboration with the Munitions Acceleration Council, the Economic Defense Unit, the Missile Defense Agency, and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.