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.

Department of War and L3Harris Secure Landmark Deals to Expand Propulsion Production for PAC-3 MSE and THAAD

July 27, 2026 |

WASHINGTON — The Department of War, in cooperation with L3Harris and Lockheed Martin, announced two landmark seven-year framework agreements to expand production capacity for key components of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system. 

"Rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom requires moving with speed and precision to scale the production of critical munitions," said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. "Today's agreements with L3Harris are a decisive win for the Warfighter, underscoring our commitment to sending clear demand signals to the entire supply chain."

Under this agreement, L3Harris will accelerate the production of its advanced two-pulse solid rocket motor, Attitude Control Motors, and the Lethality Enhancer. The motors deliver the critical speed, extended range, and precise maneuverability the PAC-3 MSE needs to defeat advanced tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and enemy aircraft.

Concurrently, the THAAD interceptor propulsion agreement, signed by the DoW, L3Harris, and Lockheed Martin, will expand manufacturing of two critical components: the solid rocket boost motor that launches the interceptor and the highly responsive Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (LDACS). The LDACS provides the vital in-flight maneuverability required to engage and neutralize ballistic missile threats both inside and outside Earth's atmosphere. 

This agreement follows a series of PAC-3 MSE framework agreements with prime contractor Lockheed Martin, seeker manufacturer Boeing, and multi-component supplier Honeywell.

These agreements are a direct outcome of the Department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which slashes bureaucratic red tape and allows the Department to engage directly with suppliers at every level of the industrial base. The Acquisition Transformation Strategy is a cornerstone of the Department's effort to place the nation's defense acquisition system on a wartime footing. By providing industry with clear, stable, long-term demand, the Department of War is fostering a more robust, resilient, and responsive defense industrial base, ensuring the U.S. military always outpaces any adversary on the factory floor.

July 23, 2026 |

The Department of War today announced the publication of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 update to the list of foreign institutions engaging in problematic activities, as required by Section 1286 of the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This update is a vital component of the Department's ongoing mission to highlight and counter unauthorized technology transfer to foreign countries of concern. The FY25 list formally identifies 130 academic and research institutions located in China, Russia and Iran. These institutions have been confirmed to engage in activities that increase the likelihood of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts being misappropriated. Such misappropriation enables adversarial government interference that directly threatens America's national security and scientific integrity.

"The Department of War is strengthening its commitment to protect taxpayer-funded research and preserving the integrity of the American scientific enterprise," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.

The Department advises strict caution for domestic researchers, academic institutions and industry partners when considering collaboration, funding or data-sharing engagements with any institution named on this list. This aligns with recent directives from Under Secretary Michael establishing stricter requirements to protect fundamental research from malign foreign influence and intellectual property theft.

The Department will continue to update the list at least once a year or as appropriate based on emerging intelligence and threat assessments. The FY25 Section 1286 list is available here.

DOW Awards a Nearly $7 Billion Oracle Agreement to Accelerate the Arsenal of Freedom

July 23, 2026 |

Consolidating software procurement eliminates costly redundancies, accelerates modernization, and is projected to save American taxpayers at least $441 million.

Today, the Department of War (DoW) announced a historic up to 10-year, near $7 billion Enterprise Software Agreement (ESA) with Oracle, further advancing the Arsenal of Freedom. Negotiated by the Department of the Navy, this first-ever, direct award contract with Oracle for the Department's on-premises Oracle usage serves to consolidate licensing and will improve visibility of enterprise usage and spend in support of optimizing the Department's technology budgets. By consolidating fragmented, one-off information technology purchases into a unified, single award contract, the agreement is projected to deliver at least $441 million in savings to U.S. taxpayers over its lifecycle.

"By fundamentally improving how we procure on-premises Oracle capabilities, we are driving at least $441 million in taxpayer savings while rapidly and effectively serving our warfighters," said Honorable Kirsten A. Davies, Chief Information Officer for the Department of War. "This nearly $7 billion agreement with Oracle strengthens our digital ecosystem, supporting our warfighters with secure, scalable technology to dominate current and future missions."

"For the Department of the Navy, this agreement supports faster delivery of secure, scalable software from the shore enterprise to the tactical edge for our Navy and Marine Corps teams," said Barry Tanner, Performing the Duties of the Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer. "Reducing fragmented procurement and advancing enterprise standardization will strengthen interoperability, reduce cybersecurity risk, and help us focus resources on resilient capabilities that can scale, integrate, and endure in contested conditions."

Structured with a five-year base period and a five-year option period, this ESA supports the entire DoW, as well as the Coast Guard and the Intelligence Community.

Pentagon's Special Ops Office to Host Rapid Tech Innovation Event

July 22, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

The fourth and final line of effort in the 2026 National Defense Strategy calls for the supercharging of the defense industrial base; and within that effort is a call to grow nontraditional vendors. 

To that end, the War Department's Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict will host a one-day "accelerator" event, July 24, in the national capital region, in which representatives from more than a dozen companies will have the opportunity to pitch innovative solutions across nine areas related to the military's special operations community. 

The event comes as the office is seeking ways to rapidly innovate technologies and get them into the hands of warfighters quicker than the traditional acquisition avenues. 

"Traditionally, in acquisition, there's a lot of work and energy around the government figuring out what it needs and then telling industry to just build what it thinks it needs; and this is flipping the script on that," explained Bonnie Evangelista, the office's acquisition director for the Secretariat for Special Operations.   

Rather, she said, the office is working to identify what the mission needs and then identify what industry-driven solutions already exist on the market that can meet that. 

"That is a complete 180 from [a traditional] acquisition perspective," Evangelista said, noting that the state of battlefield technology is rapidly changing in a matter of hours and days rather than years and decades as in the past. 

The method the office incorporates into fielding these new technologies is likened to a "critical triangle," wherein warfighters are put in direct contact with private-sector innovators, as well as acquisition industry experts who understand the fiscal and contractual aspect of getting the new technology into the field.   

"We are doing this accelerator event specifically to highlight the might of that triangle coming together to leverage, and kind of put pen to paper on what [Secretary of War Pete Hegseth] is talking about [regarding] empowering the warfighter [and] creating faster spirals to get technology into the field — and doing that in a very, very short time frame," said Carmella Teeter, deputy assistant secretary of war for special operations analysis, resources and capabilities.   

Whereas many traditional acquisition processes can take three or more years to get from awarding of a contract to putting the new technology into the field, the goal for getting any innovative approach or capability that the office selects for acquisition into the field is six months or less, with contracts being awarded the day of the event.  

To get participants for the accelerator event, the team called for short proposal submissions, asking each applicant for a two-page white paper proposal on how they would address certain challenges. 

Soon, the office received nearly 700 applications, which were eventually narrowed down to 15 organizations being invited to the July 24 event. 

During the day of the event, participants will give an initial presentation consisting of an oral presentation, technical brief and government question-and-answer session. 

Any project selected during the first phase — or gate — will be awarded an initial $10,000, with the eligibility to be invited to the second gate of the event and potentially be awarded an additional $50,000 if the technology meets government mission requirements. 

Those companies that pass the second gate will then proceed to the third gate, which is prototype delivery, followed by the final gate of production.  

"[The accelerator] is very focused on trying to break down those barriers to entry that we see in particular with small businesses and the startups," Teeter said, adding that the goal is to cut bureaucracy and create synergy by way of the aforementioned critical triangle.  

Teeter said that what ultimately drives projects like the upcoming accelerator event is the necessity to remember that the warfighters deserve to have the best technology at their disposal, and as quickly as possible. 

"We owe that to these people that are going to be asked to solve the impossible problems," she said. "We owe them unfair advantage on the battlefield, and that's what this is all designed to do: to give our warfighters unfair advantage by making sure that we remember from all the way up to the senior levels here in the [War Department] that their voice and their comfort level with that technology is the thing that we care about most; and we want to empower them to have a say in their future with that."   

If the upcoming event ultimately proves successful, Teeter said she could envision similar events also permeating throughout the department. 

Department of War Partners With the Genesis Mission to Proliferate AI for Science

July 22, 2026 |

The Department of War is a dedicated partner in the Genesis Mission, a national effort to leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery. Led by the White House, the Department is committing substantial resources and technical expertise to its success. The Department is on track to commit over $200 million in funding across Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and over $1.3 billion in FY 2027 to advance critical National Science & Technology Challenges.

The Department of War plans to leverage the Genesis Mission American Science and Security Platform, built by the Department of Energy (DOE), which will connect data, compute, scientific instrumentation and AI tools to accelerate scientific discovery and technological innovation. The Department is providing decades of validated aeronautic, hydrodynamic, acoustic and sensor data directly into the platform via the Genesis Mission Platform. This integration will ultimately enable automated design loops, decision superiority and scaled breakthroughs in national security research.

A cornerstone of the Department of War's financial commitment is the Digital Biosecurity Forge (DB-FORGE) project, a high-performance computing environment developed in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This represents a significant investment, starting with $30 million in FY 2026 and projected to scale to $150 million in FY 2027. In addition to this flagship project, the Department is aligning funding across its broader research and development portfolio, including efforts in biomanufacturing, human health and biosecurity policy. This ensures the Department's contributions are robust, well-resourced and fully integrated with the Genesis Mission's AI for science capabilities.

"President Trump has mandated that the United States be the dominant global leader in AI, and the Genesis Mission represents an unprecedented opportunity to unlock our nation's scientific might," said Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael. "The Department of War is scaling investments across AI, quantum computing and biotechnology to turn our decades of data into a catalyst for scientific discovery to support the American warfighter."

The Genesis Mission provides a collaborative opportunity for government and industry partners to advance the Department of War's efforts to increase and accelerate technological advances to defend the Homeland, deter adversaries and supercharge the defense industrial base.