Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-SUAS) Applied Research

The Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-SUAS) Applied Research program, designated as Program Element (PE) 0602135A, is a research and development initiative within the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget. Its primary objective is to investigate, design, and develop advanced capabilities to detect, track, identify, mitigate, and defeat small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), specifically those categorized as Groups 1-3. The program supports the Army's modernization strategy and aligns with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's priority focus areas, emphasizing innovation and rapid technology deployment.

A key goal of the C-SUAS program is to enhance the detection of sUAS threats using a variety of sensor modalities, including radar, radio frequency (RF), electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), and acoustic signatures. By leveraging these technologies, the program aims to provide comprehensive airspace situational awareness and improve the ability to locate UAS operators. This capability is essential for increasing force protection and enabling effective defeat mechanisms against hostile sUAS.

In addition to detection, the program focuses on developing robust tracking and identification methods. These efforts include creating algorithms for threat prioritization, airspace control, coordinated response, and resource management. The identification component seeks to discern between different aerial systems and their payloads, which is critical for distinguishing threats from benign or friendly systems and for tailoring response strategies accordingly.

The primary line item under this program element for FY 2026 is not a new start but represents a realignment of funding from a related Air and Missile Defense Technology program. The Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) is responsible for executing the technical work, which includes designing and developing interceptor capabilities that deliver physical effects such as faster intercepts, increased standoff ranges, greater magazine depth, and improved survivability and affordability. The project also aims to reduce the size, weight, and power requirements of these systems.

A significant planned effort within the project is an initiative that investigates concepts and develops component technologies to increase the range, reduce reaction time, enhance lethality, improve reliability, and decrease reload times for kinetic interceptor systems. The focus is on both fixed-site and mobile C-sUAS configurations for maneuver forces. FY 2026 plans include critical component technology designs for small form factor missile systems, novel propulsion concepts, seeker technology for long-range intercepts, maturation of missile components for extended range threats, and advanced modeling and simulation for performance prediction.

The program is part of the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) Funding pilot, which is designed to accelerate the deployment of promising technologies by fostering innovation and flexibility in funding. The FY 2026 funding increase reflects this agile approach and the realignment of resources to prioritize counter-sUAS technology development. No acquisition strategy or other program funding is specified for this line item, indicating a focus on applied research and technology maturation rather than immediate procurement.