ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – U.S. Army uncrewed aircraft experts are searching industry to find viable company-level small uncrewed aircraft systems for a flight demonstration next spring as part of an urgent requirement to acquire small uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) for small Army maneuver units.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., issued a solicitation (PM-UAS-sUAS) on Tuesday for the Company Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) project to inform industry of emerging Army requirements, and speed integration of agile, cutting-edge sUAS technologies.
The Army Contracting Command issued this solicitation on behalf of the Program Manager-Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., which will use the One Nation Innovation industry consortium in Columbia, S.C., to conduct the industry survey.
Army company-level small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are drone systems designed to enhance reconnaissance and surveillance at the company maneuver level within Brigade Combat Teams. An Army company consists of between 100 and 250 soldiers, and falls between battalion- and platoon-sized units.
Attritable aircraft and payloads
Company-level sUAS will be commercially available small drones with rapidly reconfigurable, modular, and attritable payloads that help enable maneuver companies to conduct several different kinds of missions with immediate deployable drone designed to operate contested environments to gather real-time intelligence.
Examples of company-level sUAS are the Ghost X from Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, Calif.; and the C-100 UAS from Performance Drone Works in Huntsville, Ala. The company-level sUAS typically includes at least two uncrewed aircraft per system, with modular mission payload capabilities and a ground-control station.
These small drones should be expendable easily reconfigurable for different missions to support infantry or maneuver companies without saturating commanders with the complexities of drone operations.
The Army will use this challenge to ensure industry remains informed of evolving requirements to encourage continued investment and innovation in sUAS technologies for future opportunities.
Tell me more about Army company-level small uncrewed aircraft ...
- Army company-level small uncrewed aircraft are lightweight, tactical drones designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition at the company level. These drones provide real-time intelligence to commanders to enhance situational awareness without putting soldiers in harm's way. Typically, they are man-portable or easily deployable, and require minimal setup and training. These small uncrewed aircraft can be equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal sensors, and communications systems to relay data back to ground units. Their use enables rapid, low-altitude surveillance of enemy positions, terrain, and movements, and enhance decision-making while reducing reliance on larger, more complex uncrewed aircraft. Examples include the Wasp and Puma drones, which are commonly used in modern Army operations.
Companies interested should submit white papers no later than 19 Nov. 2025 to the One Nation Innovation online at https://marketplace.gocolosseum.org/public/challenges/532b267a-f8c6-4438-bee5-783aac08f884. These white papers will help the Army understand what sUAS are available. Also may submit white papers between 20 Nov. and 17 Dec. 2025.
Companies also may submit white papers in a second group by 17 Dec. online at https://marketplace.gocolosseum.org/public/challenges/532b267a-f8c6-4438-bee5-783aac08f884. Submissions made after the second still will be considered for their innovation and potential application to mission changes and technological innovations.
Submit questions or concerns to the One Nation Innovation online at https://marketplace.gocolosseum.org/public/challenges/532b267a-f8c6-4438-bee5-783aac08f884. More information is online at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c930003cc58c4d7bbe4d2c4c45aa3ac1/view.
