The United States defence department’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in partnership with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM UxS), is seeking mature, production-ready, maritime counter-air solutions through a multi-phase Prize Challenge, Sprint 2.
Sprint 2 focuses specifically on detecting, tracking, and defeating hostile airborne threats in contested maritime environments. DIU seeks integrated combinations of mature uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and hard-kill counter-air effectors suitable for forward operational fielding within 120 days. The agency lists low-cost, low-signature threats including explosive USVs, Group 1–3 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), attack helicopters, go-fast vessels and low-flying aerial vectors as direct threats to US surface-fleet operations.
The competition has been launched to address a critical gap in affordable maritime air defence and organic fleet self-defence. The USV solution must demonstrate a minimum operational range of 200 nautical miles and a sustained cruise speed of at least 10 knots.
Systems must have the capability to detect, track, and engage Group 1–3 UAS and rotary-wing aircraft. Group 5 engagement capability is also highly desired. Submissions must represent a single, integrated solution covering the USV platform, launcher and effector payload; standalone platform-only or effector-only submissions will not be evaluated for Sprint 2.
DIU is requesting submissions by 30 November, with initial field tests expected in early 2027.
For more information
Image: US Navy warships and aircraft transit the Arabian Sea, 30 June 2026. (screenshot from US Navy video)
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