NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) announced on 5 November that it has selected 16 systems from five companies for the NATO counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) marketplace.
The marketplace, which NCIA manages, was first announced in July. It is part of NATO’s Drone Edge, which is investing over USD 40 billion in C-UAS capabilities over the next five years. Through the marketplace, Allies can procure directly from the NATO catalogue without any further tender process.
The five selected companies announced yesterday are Alta Ares, Axon Enterprise Inc., Northrop Grumman, OSL UK and Quantum Systems. The selected equipment covers a mix of static, transportable and on-the-move systems. Each company has already deployed systems in Allied countries and in Ukraine.
NCIA selected the capabilities based on the following four reference scenarios:
- The Point Protection scenario focuses on enhancing the protection of a specific high-value asset or location – such as a military installation, critical infrastructure or command post – through effective detection, tracking and response.
- The Area Protection scenario focuses on the protection of a larger geographical area up to 3km in diameter, such as an airbase, logistics hub or military installation, through coordinated sensors and countermeasures against drone threats.
- The Border Protection scenario extends monitoring and protection across a 20 km border segment through persistent surveillance, early detection, tracking and coordinated responses.
- The Convoy Protection scenario focuses on the protection of moving military convoy up to 300-meter length, travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h, through mobile C-UAS capabilities capable of detecting, tracking and responding to threats while on the move.
The framework contracts are valid for one and a half years, with the possibility to be extended. NCIA said NATO intends to run regular competitions to ensure that the newest technologies are made available to Allies.
For more information
NCIA
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