The US Army is conducting an Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) to evaluate, demonstrate and acquire operationally mature electromagnetic spectrum operations capabilities including in a counter-drone scenario.
The Army is seeking innovative capabilities that demonstrate performance in a number of capability areas, including passive sensing solutions that detect, characterise and geolocate complex emitters without producing detectable RF signatures or overloading tactical networks.
The ACE effort enables US Army forces operating within a NATO and joint coalition framework on the Eastern Flank to sense, understand, exploit, attack and protect across a contested electromagnetic environment and connected cyberspace.
Selected vendors will receive prize funds and demonstrate their systems in Germany before Army and NATO end-users. They may also leave behind kits for follow-on operational evaluation and may be awarded contracts.
Winners will be onboarded into the US Army’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Library of Competed Capabilities for potential follow-on procurement following the planned event.
For more information
Image: Senior Airman Dylan Faith, 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron counter small uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS) team C-sUAS specialist, operates a drone at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Sep. 14, 2026. The C-sUAS team recently won the Outstanding Electromagnetic Warfare Team of the Year for 2025. (US Air Force photo by Airman Trevor Temple)
The September issue of the 2026 Unmanned Airspace Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory is now available. The guide is the world’s only comprehensive, continually updated directory of global C-UAS companies and systems. It itemises over 1,000 C-UAS products and services with performance details, company sales and partnerships arrangements. It is updated every month and broken down into niche sub-sectors (net-capture, missiles, intercept drones, detectors etc) to give C-UAS procurement and industry personnel a unique perspective of global C-UAS technical capabilities and market positions. It is available in word, PDF and excel formats and Unmanned Airspace readers are eligible for a range of discounts. For more information about the Directory please contact the editor Philip Butterworth-Hayes at philip@unmannedairspace.info.