Status: Open. 4-page white paper and video of up to 5 minutes due November 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET.
Executive Summary
The Army's Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), with U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and Army FUZE xTech, is running a prize competition for counter-drone (C-UAS) fly-away kits. SETAF-AF needs a rapidly deployable, layered and scalable kit that can detect, track and defeat Group 1 to 3 small drones at remote airfields and contingency sites, including locations near active host-nation airports.
The Army plans up to $1 million in cash prizes and up to $5 million in follow-on Other Transaction agreements (OTAs). The first step is a four-page white paper and a video of up to five minutes, due November 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET. Systems must already be at technology readiness level (TRL) 6 or higher.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Sponsor: Army G-TEAD with SETAF-AF, powered by Army FUZE xTech
- Opportunity: G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech
- Authority: Prize competition under 10 U.S.C. 4025, with follow-on paths such as prototype OTAs (10 U.S.C. 4022)
- Funding: Up to $1M in cash prizes; up to $5M in OTAs for up to 15 selectees
- Prizes: up to 15 finalists receive $25,000 each; finalists who are integrated into the exercise and pitch receive another $25,000; up to 5 winners receive $50,000 each
- Submissions: November 6 to November 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
- Soldier exercise: February 15 to 26, 2027; winners announced February 26, 2027
- OTA window: March 1 to 31, 2027
Think your kit qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 17 deadline.
What the Army Wants
Mature (TRL 6+), small, portable, rugged and user-friendly C-UAS kits that expeditionary forces can set up, tear down and sustain with limited infrastructure and people. Submissions must target one of five capability areas:
- Consolidated capability
- Detection and identification
- Kinetic defeat
- Non-kinetic defeat
- Passive protection
Key Requirements
- Expeditionary: rapid setup and teardown, minimal maintenance, operable by the site guard force after initial training.
- Power: multiple power sources (including solar), NATO and U.S. standard connections, AC or DC input, and operation on unconditioned shore or generator power.
- Open architecture: publish to and accept tasking from IBCS-M, with ISA, SAPIENT, TAK and FAAD C2 supported where applicable.
- Navigation: operate in GNSS-enabled, denied and spoofed modes without hardware changes.
- Safety and authority: emergency stop or fail-safe, geofencing for any organic drone, authority-gated effects disabled by default.
- Supply chain: comply with NDAA sections 848, 817 and 889 and the American Security Drone Act; organic drones must be Blue UAS cleared.
Eligibility
- Domestic and allied foreign for-profit and nonprofit organizations, large or small.
- A CAGE (U.S.) or NCAGE (international) code is needed to receive a prize or award, not to apply.
- Not eligible: companies based in, funded by or under the influence of a foreign country of concern; companies already under contract for the same capability in the region.
How to Submit
- White paper: up to 4 pages.
- Video: up to 5 minutes.
- Self-certification of the minimum requirements.
- Prior demonstrations with the Department of War or allied and partner nations.
- Submit through the xTech competition page before 5:00 p.m. ET on November 17, 2026.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with fielded or field-ready counter-drone sensors, RF and EW defeat systems, kinetic interceptors, passive protection products or integrated C2 software that can deploy quickly to austere sites. Companies still at prototype stage below TRL 6 should wait for a later xTech call.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For xTech competitions like ACE 27-01, we help you:
- Pick the capability area where your system scores best.
- Review your 4-page white paper and video plan against the evaluation criteria.
- Prepare for the Soldier exercise pitch.
- Plan the follow-on OTA proposal if you are selected.
Plan Your C-UAS Fly Away Kit Entry
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it due?
November 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET, through the xTech competition page.
How much money is available?
Up to $1 million in cash prizes, plus up to $5 million in follow-on Other Transaction agreements (OTAs) for selectees in March 2027.
Can a foreign company enter?
Yes. Domestic and allied foreign for-profit and nonprofit organizations can enter. Companies based in, funded by or influenced by a foreign country of concern cannot.
Do I need a CAGE code to apply?
No. You need a CAGE code (U.S.) or NCAGE code (international) to receive a prize or a follow-on award, so start registration now.
How mature does my system need to be?
TRL 6 or higher. The Army wants ready-to-deploy kits, not concepts.
Can BW&CO help with the white paper?
Yes. We can review your white paper and video plan against the evaluation criteria before November 17. Book a call with our team.
Source: xTech: G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech