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/

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 Publishes Counter-Drone Handbook

uly 8, 2026 | By Joint Interagency Task Force 401 |

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published a practical handbook designed to aid audiences across government, industry and academia in building a shared understanding of the drone threat and the basic principles of protecting against illicit drones.

The task force developed the guide, titled "Small Drones, Big Problems: A First Principles Approach to Countering-UAS," as part of its mission to synchronize counter-unmanned aircraft systems efforts across the War Department and federal interagency partners.

The handbook also establishes a common vocabulary and incorporates the latest information about UAS, including lessons learned from operations in the Middle East and on battlefields in Europe. It explains how adversaries can use drones, outlines the key components of a layered drone defense and examines the factors that enable successful counter-UAS operations.

"It is crucial to build a common foundation for counter-drone efforts as we work with the entire government and interagency partners to respond to this growing threat," said Army Maj. Joe Amoroso, deputy chief of strategic initiatives for JIATF 401. "This guide shares vital first principles and direct feedback from warfighters employing [counter]-UAS systems so the entire community has the means, methods and concepts for countering the defining threat of our time."

The handbook emphasizes a layered approach as the most effective defense against illicit drones, with a variety of tools available to counter threats. It reinforces the importance of capabilities that go beyond technological solutions, including training for warfighters that equips them with the knowledge and permissions they need to respond to drone threats in real time.

Through this publication, JIATF 401 continues its mission to expand counter-UAS capability to warfighters at home and abroad.

"While there is no silver bullet to protect against drones, the threat can be mitigated if we are proactive, work with partners across the government and build a layered defense," said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, task force director. "We have faced novel challenges before, and we should not be intimidated by this one. We should lean in and take every possible step to prepare ourselves to dominate on the modern battlefield."