Lead
Counter UAS sensors: the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued solicitation PROJ00656 requesting rapid fielding of C‑UAS sensing for homeland and mobile defense, including systems that can detect Group 1 UAS at 2 km or greater and participate in a spring 2026 demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground. (Sources: DIU solicitation, MilitaryTimes.)
DIU requirements and timeline
The DIU notice structures the effort into two lines of effort: LOE 1 (homeland defense) for fixed installations and LOE 2 (mobile sensing) for tactical units. Key requirements include:
- Detect and track Group 1 UAS (under 20 lb) at ≥2 km; detection of Group 2/3 is desirable.
- Multimodal sensing with a radar sensor required; preference for passive RF (≈400 MHz–8 GHz) and EO/IR augmentation.
- Low physical and spectral signature for mobile sensors; vehicle-mountable on ISV, JLTV, FMTV, HEMTT.
- Short setup time, operator-configurable controls, classification capability, and integration with government CUAS fire-control systems.
DIU plans a spring 2026 live demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground; invited companies may have 30 days or less between selection and demonstration. Full solicitation: DIU solicitation PROJ00656
Operational implications
Rapidly fielded, scalable C‑UAS sensors would reduce vulnerabilities facing installations and dispersed units. Fixed-site, production-ready sensors with robust classification reduce false alarms in congested airspace; mobile, low-signature systems improve unit-level early warning and integrate with existing CUAS effectors.
Internal context: U.S. Army selects Anduril’s AI platform for advanced counter-drone capabilities
Sources
- DIU solicitation PROJ00656 (primary)
- MilitaryTimes — Pentagon wants counter-drone sensors to protect US infrastructure — and fast (Michael Peck, Feb 13, 2026)
- Cyberwarzone — U.S. Army selects Anduril’s AI platform for advanced counter-drone capabilities (internal)
Technical context
Small UAS produce a low radar cross section and often fly low in cluttered environments, complicating detection. DIU’s radar-first requirement plus passive RF and EO/IR augmentation reflects best practice: combine modalities to raise probability of detection and reduce false alarms (biological and ground clutter). Passive RF sensing across ~400 MHz–8 GHz enables interception of control/telemetry links without emitting, improving survivability in contested electromagnetic environments.
For mobile use, emphasis on low spectral and physical signature implies designs that balance sensitivity, power consumption, and concealment to avoid enemy targeting.
DIU Solicits Rapid Counter‑UAS Sensing for Homeland and Mobile Defense
Counter UAS sensors are the focus of DIU solicitation PROJ00656. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) wants systems that reliably detect Group 1 UAS at ranges of 2 kilometers or greater, pair radar with passive sensing where possible, and demonstrate readiness at a spring 2026 demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground.
What DIU wants
DIU separates requirements into two tracks. LOE 1 targets fixed installations needing persistent, production‑ready sensing that can operate safely in congested domestic airspace. LOE 2 targets mobile sensors for tactical units that must be low‑signature, quick to emplace, and vehicle‑mountable on platforms such as the ISV and JLTV.
Key performance priorities
- Group 1 detection at ≥2 km and the ability to detect Group 2/3 as a secondary capability.
- Mandatory radar sensor in proposals; preference for multimodal solutions that add passive RF and EO/IR to reduce false positives.
- Broad RF coverage (~400 MHz–8 GHz) for passive link interception and adaptability to evolving UAS datalinks.
- Low physical and spectral signature for survivability in contested environments and simple operator maintenance.
Technical and operational context
Small drones are difficult to detect on radar alone; pairing modalities improves detection and classification while cutting false alarms caused by birds and ground clutter. Passive RF sensing is valuable because it detects command-and-control or telemetry emissions without revealing the sensor’s location. For mobile forces, DIU’s low‑signature requirement addresses a known vulnerability where active emitters attract targeting in contested environments.
Why it matters
DIU’s timeline and live demonstration requirement make this a time-sensitive push: invited firms may have 30 days or less to prepare demonstrations. Successful demonstrations and rapid fielding would give installations and forward units earlier warning of small-UAS threats, reducing risk to personnel and critical infrastructure.
Sources and further reading
Primary: DIU solicitation PROJ00656
Independent coverage: MilitaryTimes — Pentagon wants counter-drone sensors to protect US infrastructure — and fast
Related internal coverage: U.S. Army selects Anduril’s AI platform for advanced counter-drone capabilities
