The Army named Anduril the winner of its competition for a new counter-drone fire-control system run with the Defense Innovation Unit. Defense officials confirm the October 15 selection followed competitive testing. The award covers fire-control software for counter-UAS that fuses sensor tracks and manages engagements against small unmanned aircraft. Program Executive Office Missiles and Space led the effort with DIU. The Army plans to integrate the software into its counter-UAS architecture next. The announcement did not include contract value.
“This competition allowed us to rigorously evaluate innovative technologies in a realistic operational environment, ensuring our Soldiers have the tools they need to maintain air superiority,” said Lt. Col. Adam Samiof, product manager for counter-UAS. The service added, “The Army will continue working closely with Anduril to refine and integrate this cutting-edge technology into its C-UAS architecture, ensuring the highest level of protection for our warfighters.”
Competition Results and Field Evaluations
The Army said the trials were realistic and centered on soldier usability. Officials indicated the new tool will replace Northrop Grumman’s FAAD C2 in the counter-UAS fire-control role. Col. Guy Yelverton previewed that change during AUSA week, saying the winning solution would take over for FAAD C2 in counter-UAS operations. FAAD C2 today provides a fused air picture and routes engagements to short-range air defense and counter-drone effectors.
Trials in Europe fed recent choices. Project Flytrap in Germany and Poland ran handheld, vehicle-mounted, and fixed-site systems through repeat scenarios with U.S. and U.K. units. The events produced operator feedback on latency, track handoff, friendly-UAS deconfliction, and quick reconfiguration. That information informed near-term fielding decisions.
Field-focused evaluations preceded the award. Summer exercises combined operator feedbac with system telemetry to inform acquisition decisions. In parallel, DIU advanced C-UAS interceptor prototypes under separate lines of effort. Those efforts sit beside the fire-control award and connect through interfaces once units begin integration.
FAAD C2 Replacement and Integration into SHORAD and LIDS
FAAD C2 links SHORAD, C-RAM, and counter-UAS systems and distributes an integrated air picture. In LIDS configurations, FAAD C2 ties KuRFS sensors, Coyote interceptors, and other elements into a fielded package. Anduril’s system will assume the counter-UAS fire-control function now handled by FAAD C2. Army overviews show C-UAS technologies riding on FAAD C2 for mobile and relocatable sets. Units rely on established procedures to pass tracks, alerts, and engagement orders. A replacement must bridge interfaces during transition to avoid coverage gaps.
Leadership at AUSA indicated the new fire-control solution starts in counter-UAS and can later extend across broader short-range air defense functions. The incumbent’s public material describes FAAD C2’s current role and AiON as the company’s next offer in this space.
Fire-Control Functions and Architecture
The government notice named Anduril as the C-UAS fire-control winner under PEO Missiles and Space. The selected software ingests radar, EO/IR, and RF tracks, computes firing solutions, recommends or assigns effectors, and records outcomes for post-mission analysis. Officials emphasized iterative work with the vendor and insertion into the existing counter-UAS architecture, not a single cutover.
Anduril describes a Lattice-based approach to counter-UAS command and control. Company material shows layered sensing, a condensed air picture for operators, and links to kinetic and non-kinetic effectors. According to industry sources, that approach suits a fire-control mission that must work with third-party sensors and manage multiple defeat options.
Northrop, the incumbent in this niche, offered AiON. “At Northrop Grumman, we’ve developed the C2 backbone that connects disparate systems for a comprehensive view of the battlespace,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager for command and control and weapons integration. He praised AiON’s test record and pointed to interest from other customers.
AUSA Cadence and Related Efforts
Officials also plan competitions at least every two years to keep pace with threat evolution and industry offerings. Yelverton pointed to parallel efforts for soldier-carried gear and unit equipment, and the fire-control award closes the current tranche. Other Army leaders addressed capability gaps. Maj. Gen. David Stewart called Group-3 drones a persistent challenge due to size and agility. Col. Marc Pelini highlighted high-power microwave options for swarm defense and the need to reach beyond one kilometer. Officials stressed layered defense across sensors and effectors.
Outside the Army acquisition lanes, DIU pushed interceptor prototypes with Anduril and Zone 5 under Counter NEXT. Late-September updates noted added funding for flight testing, safety work, and integration with combat systems before a 2026 live-fire event. The interceptor effort remains separate from fire control, and its schedule aligns to the software integration window.
Interoperability, Training, and Next Steps
Replacing FAAD C2 inside live formations needs careful staging. FAAD C2 carries certified links, safety approvals, and authority to operate, including joint interfaces such as Link 16. The incoming software must preserve message formats and feeds. Units will retrain and validate timing and stability under test. Comparisons help crews understand changes first. FAAD C2 grew into a hub across SHORAD, C-RAM, and counter-UAS and anchors today’s LIDS procedures. The Anduril award focuses on fire control for counter-UAS, so the first change for crews will be the screen and decision aids used to fight drones. Existing radars, cameras, and effectors remain in service. The logic that prioritizes tracks and assigns shots moves to the new software as integration proceeds.
Training and TTP updates normally follow a C2 change. Project Flytrap notes captured soldier feedback on discoverability of tracks, handoff speed, and crew workload. Those observations will shape new checklists and crew drills once the software arrives in formation. According to industry sources, interoperability will be the exam that matters. Sensors and effectors differ across brigades and theaters, and coalition partners bring their own kits. Both the incumbent and the winner emphasize open interfaces and rapid integration. The current LIDS combination of government and contractor systems on mobile and relocatable platforms raises hard questions on interface control documents, message timing, and operator interface conventions. Testing and fielding gates will carry that load.
Northrop signaled continued competition after the award. “We are incredibly proud of the groundbreaking innovation and dedication demonstrated by our talented team in developing and successfully testing AiON, our next-generation counter-drone system,” Todorov said during AUSA week. “We see significant future opportunities to partner with other customers and allies who recognize the need for innovative solutions like AiON.”
Anduril’s public material points to a software-first architecture, with interceptors, EW payloads, and automated surveillance controlled through Lattice. Officials confirm the Army wants a stack that lets units refresh components without rewriting the C2 each time. Our analysis shows a phased handover that preserves links, trains crews on the new tools, and keeps shoot-offs on a two-year rhythm gives units near-term gains without a coverage dip during transition.
REFERENCE SOURCES
- https://www.army.mil/article/288909/army_diu_select_anduril_to_advance_next_generation_counter_uas_fire_control_capabilities
- https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/army-picks-anduril-for-counter-drone-fire-control-system/
- https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/army-to-execute-recurring-competitions-for-counter-drone-tech/
- https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/forward-area-air-defense-faad
- https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/news/2024/02/08/meet-lids-a-sure-shot-against-drones
- https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-c-uas/aion-counter-uas
- https://www.anduril.com/capability/counter-uas/
- https://www.anduril.com/article/anduril-demonstrates-and-delivers-counter-uas-capabilities-to-usnorthcom-at-falcon-peak-25-2/
- https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/Home/INNOVATION/?videoid=967668
- https://www.army.mil/article/287453/v_corps_leaders_share_lessons_learned_on_counter_uas_training_from_project_flytrap
- https://defensescoop.com/2025/09/29/counter-drone-interceptors-navy-diu-anduril-zone-5/
- https://www.diu.mil/latest/two-companies-selected-to-support-dius-counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-next
