What Happened
Pentagon Shifts Toward Agile Procurement For Counter Drone Systems
The US military is shifting toward a direct-to-supplier acquisition model for counter-drone systems, bypassing traditional bureaucracy. The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) has created a tech marketplace framework, allowing units to execute immediate direct-to-supplier transactions. This approach cuts out intermediate contracting layers and collapses acquisition timelines from years to weeks or days. The marketplace is supported by a $13 million initial pilot pool and is aligned with the Pentagon’s newly established Autonomous Warfare Command (AutoWarCom). This development was reported by an unknown source.