Leonardo DRS has received a contract to support the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), the Pentagon body responsible for countering small uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS).
The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a ceiling of up to $500m, runs for three years and allows the company to compete for task orders to rapidly deploy counter-drone sensing systems.
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According to Leonardo DRS, the contract positions it to deliver operationally relevant C-UAS solutions for force protection and low-altitude air defence in response to emerging threats.
Leonardo DRS president and CEO John Baylouny said: “This JIATF IDIQ positions DRS to accelerate the delivery of integrated C-UAS sensing technologies through rapid fielding of operationally relevant capabilities that help protect forces and strengthen low-altitude air defence as new threats emerge.”
JIATF-401 was created to consolidate, streamline, and coordinate the US Department of War’s activities around countering UAS, managing requirements, testing, acquisition, training, and threat analysis.
The task force replaces the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO), marking a shift from service-specific procurement to a centralised authority responsible for addressing the growing and dynamic drone threat across federal agencies and with allied partners.
Under the new framework, JIATF-401 aims to increase the pace at which vetted C-UAS technologies reach operators in the field.
The Leonardo DRS contract is intended to advance these mission objectives by enabling rapid task orders for integrated sensing and tracking solutions.
Currently, the company supplies radar and sensor technology used in various air defence applications, including counter-UAS, counter-artillery, and short-range air defence.
With the new contract, the company will be eligible to compete for specific task orders under the IDIQ as US forces seek to strengthen their defences against evolving low-altitude aerial threats.
