Army approaches industry for armored combat vehicles defenses technologies against small uncrewed aircraft
Summary points:
- Army wants cost-effective, easily deployable systems to protect tanks and personnel carriers on the move from small uncrewed aircraft.
- Solutions should integrate with existing combat vehicles without hindering vehicle movement, crew operations, or onboard systems.
- Solutions may involve active, passive, kinetic, or non-kinetic counter-UAV technologies.
AUSTIN, Texas – U.S. Army researchers are asking industry for enabling technologies that protect armored combat vehicles like main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers while on the move from attacks by small uncrewed aircraft. Solutions should be cost-effective and easily deployable without opening vehicle hatches.
Officials of the Army Applications Laboratory in Austin, Texas, issued a special notice for white papers (W911NF-25-S-CsUAS) earlier this month for the Army Applications Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement For Disruptive Technologies.
Solutions may include active, passive, kinetic, and non-kinetic systems to protect armored vehicles from uncrewed aircraft that weigh 20 pounds or less, while maintaining the vehicle's ability to maneuver.
These systems should be usable across different armored vehicles as part of layered protection, in which active and passive measures work together to defend against small uncrewed aircraft, such as those deployed in Ukraine's war with Russia.
Uncrewed attacks on armored vehicles
Recent conflicts have demonstrated the effectiveness of video-piloted self-detonating small uncrewed aircraft against armored vehicles. These uncrewed aircraft can self-detonate, and carry munitions, grenades, and chemical weapons that target armored vehicles.
Uncrewed aircraft attacks especially in Ukraine -- are demonstrated to damage, disable, and destroy armored vehicles. The Ukraine war has shown that uncrewed aircraft attacks on armored vehicles -- particularly when those vehicles have their hatches open -- makes crews vulnerable to additional targeted attacks.
The proliferation and effectiveness of these low-cost uncrewed systems pose a significant threat, and highlight opportunities for innovative and enhanced protection for the armored force, Army officials say.
Protection systems against uncrewed aircraft should not interfere with the vehicle’s movement, weapons, turret, and antennas, and should not impede the crew's ability to escape from the vehicle's hatch, if necessary.
Protection systems should not adversely influence platform weight, power, and crew workload, and maintain the vehicle's full interoperability with existing command and control systems.
Companies interested should email white papers no later than 6 July 2025 to [email protected], with CLPS Special Notice in the subject line. Companies submitting promising white papers may be invited to submit full proposals.
White papers should relate to armored vehicle protection; defenses against group 1 small uncrewed aircraft; and cost-effective platform-agnostic solutions for vehicle protection.
Email questions or concerns to the Army's Rodolfo Estrada at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/b6c70be5547a4f17b45d8c9a9b9c715e/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
