The US Army has selected California-based Anduril Industries to modernize the fire control capability designed to help troops detect, track, and neutralize unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This decision followed a months-long competition led by the Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, alongside the Defense Innovation Unit, in which Anduril outperformed rival firm Zone 5 Technologies. The upgrade aims to integrate the Army’s radar, sensors, and weapons more effectively to respond to the evolving threat posed by autonomous adversary drones. Although specific contract details were not disclosed, analogies have been made to Anduril’s recent 10-year $642 million contract with the US Marine Corps for a similar counter-UAS system, suggesting the Army’s deal may be of comparable scale. The new system will replace the Army’s existing Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) solution, formerly developed by Northrop Grumman, which also competed with its own next-generation AiON platform. Army officials highlighted that this program is part of continuing efforts to stay ahead of emerging drone threats with planned recurring technology competitions every two years to evaluate new systems.
