COUNTER SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (C-SUAS)

The COUNTER SMALL UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM (C-SUAS) program is a key Army initiative under the Other Procurement, Army appropriation, focused on the procurement and fielding of systems designed to detect, track, classify, and defeat small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The primary goal of this program is to address the growing threat posed by advances in unmanned aircraft technology, which have increased the potential for UAS to be used as weapons and intelligence-gathering tools against U.S. forces and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. The C-SUAS program seeks to provide a layered defense construct, integrating a mix of electronic warfare, command and control, and both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors to counter Groups 1 and 2 UAS threats.

The program supports the procurement, training, and equipping of a variety of counter-UAS capabilities, including fixed, semi-fixed, mounted, dismounted, and handheld systems. These capabilities are intended for use by U.S. forces and at strategically important DoD facilities worldwide. The procurement strategy is designed to ensure flexibility and adaptability, allowing for rapid integration of new technologies and continuous improvement in response to the evolving UAS threat landscape.

The C-SUAS system-of-systems was initiated in June 2016 in response to a Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON CC-0558), which called for the rapid development and deployment of solutions to counter small UAS threats. Since then, the program has evolved through several key milestones, including the Army Requirements Oversight Council's approval of the C-SUAS Capability Development Document (CDD) Increment 1 in November 2021. The Chief of Staff of the Army accelerated procurement into FY 2022, reflecting the Army's recognition of the urgency and importance of addressing the sUAS threat.

In March 2022, the Army Acquisition Executive authorized the use of the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway for five separate Acquisition Category III programs under the C-SUAS umbrella. These include fixed-site protection, mobile counter-UAS capabilities, advanced radar detection, and portable solutions for dismounted forces. Each program addresses specific operational needs and contributes to a comprehensive approach to countering small UAS threats.

The program's objectives also include the continuous development, testing, evaluation, and integration of new solutions to keep pace with the rapidly evolving UAS threat. Joint and Army Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE) efforts are leveraged to develop solutions that are both Joint and Army-unique, ensuring interoperability and effectiveness across the DoD. The program is structured to allow for agile portfolio management, enabling the Army to realign funding and resources as needed to address emerging requirements and technological advancements.

For FY 2026, funding for the C-SUAS program was realigned from one budget activity to another to support agile portfolio management. This realignment included the transfer of specific subprograms to enhance program oversight and ensure that resources are optimally allocated to meet the Army's evolving counter-UAS needs. The restructuring is intended to support more effective management and oversight of counter-UAS efforts.