What Happened
Defense Giants and Startups Compete for Low-Cost Air Defense Solutions
The US Army has selected 30 finalists in a prize competition to find cheaper interceptors that could fly alongside the Patriot air defense system. The finalists, which include defense giants such as RTX and Northrop Grumman, as well as startups from Australia and the UK, will each receive $25,000 and a chance to demonstrate their technology to Army and Department of War experts. The competition, run by the Army’s xTech program, aims to find low-cost interceptors to add to Patriot’s capabilities against aircraft, drones, and missiles. The winners may be considered for follow-on prototype agreements or contracts, according to the Army. This development was first reported by an unknown source.