New C-UAS Marketplace to Enhance Procurement of Counter-Drone Technologies
The U.S. Department of War has awarded Kaizen a contract to develop and operate a digital marketplace aimed at expediting the procurement of validated counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technologies. The contract is valued at $15 million.
The marketplace, developed for the Department’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), will serve as a centralized platform for military organizations, domestic law enforcement agencies, and allied partners to discover, evaluate, and acquire counter-drone technologies. This initiative aims to address procurement delays as the use of low-cost commercial drones increasingly impacts security and military operations.
Kaizen has stated that it developed, accredited, and deployed the platform under a prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) awarded on May 8, 2026.
Addressing Modern Threats
The Department of War has highlighted the marketplace as a response to the challenges posed by small, inexpensive drones, which have accelerated the pace of modern conflict. Traditional acquisition processes often lag behind these developments.
Instead of navigating multiple vendors and evaluation processes, the marketplace offers a single location for validated products. Authorized users can search by operational requirements, review verified performance data, and submit acquisition requests through one interface.
The platform also supports the Secretary of the Army’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Fast Lane initiative, which aims to shorten timelines for approved international defense sales by integrating pre-cleared products into existing acquisition pathways.
U.S. Army Maj. Mike Hapner, C-UAS marketplace lead for JIATF-401, stated, “JIATF-401 remains focused on delivering the right counter-UAS capabilities to the right users at the right time. Our marketplace creates a streamlined, trusted pathway for the Joint force, domestic law enforcement, and our international partners to rapidly discover and acquire validated technologies.”
Planned Features and Capabilities
One of the anticipated features of the platform is an AI-based Capability Planner. This tool will allow users to describe an operational scenario in plain language, generating a recommended layered C-UAS package using validated products already listed in the marketplace.
The system is designed to recommend technologies that address each stage of the counter-drone mission, from detection and tracking to identification and defeat. Users will have the opportunity to review these recommendations before submitting an acquisition request.
Kaizen has indicated that the Capability Planner is expected to become operational on the live marketplace shortly.
Nikhil Reddy, Co-founder and CEO of Kaizen, emphasized the need for modern digital tools in government systems, stating, “For C-UAS, the Department of War needs first-class digital tools that move with the threat environment, not behind it.”
Supporting Government and Industry Collaboration
The marketplace is designed to benefit both government buyers and technology vendors. Defense organizations can browse validated products, compare specifications, and submit acquisition requests, while vendors can publish product information, identify compliance status, and provide lead times. JIATF-401 will independently validate listings before they are made available to users.
Kaizen has developed the software as an application layer that operates above existing government systems, reducing implementation risk while allowing agencies to modernize workflows.
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401, described the marketplace as a significant advancement in the government’s approach to countering unmanned systems, stating, “This platform is not only revolutionizing the entire procurement process but also empowering users with the information and tools needed to safeguard our service members and citizens.”
In a related statement, Brig. Gen. Ross emphasized the urgency of addressing the threat posed by drones, noting, “The proliferation of small systems and small drones requires us to move faster in this space.”
A Step Towards Digital Procurement
The establishment of the C-UAS Marketplace reflects a broader trend within defense organizations toward adopting digital procurement tools that can keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. As counter-drone systems continue to develop, a centralized marketplace with validated products may help shorten evaluation cycles and provide quicker access to approved technologies for military organizations, law enforcement agencies, and allied nations.
The JIATF-401 C-UAS Marketplace is now accessible to authorized users through cuas.mil, with additional capabilities expected to be introduced as the platform evolves.