IRIA News

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The U.S.-based defense technology firm Anduril Industries has been awarded a potential 10-year contract worth $642.2 million to install and deliver advanced counter-drone systems at Marine Corps bases.

The move comes as part of an ongoing initiative by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to enhance its capabilities for detecting, tracking, and neutralizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that pose emerging threats to its facilities, personnel, and assets.

The contract, formally titled the Installation-Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (I-CSUAS) contract, emerged from a competitive bidding process that saw 10 proposals submitted to the Pentagon.

The solicitation documents, released in February 2024, provided detailed insight into the Marines’ requirements. The service branch is looking for a solution that not only physically destroys potential threats but also disrupts their operation through non-kinetic means.

“This kill chain will encompass integrated and networked sensor nodes along with the ability to protect the defended asset both non-kinetically and kinetically as laws and policy allow,” the document reads. This approach underlines a layered defense strategy that combines both physical interception and advanced electronic countermeasures.

Non-kinetic kill chain

At the heart of the initiative is the concept of covering the entire kill chain, from detection and tracking to the engagement and neutralization of hostile drones.

The Marines have long relied on I-CSUAS capabilities provided on a leased, as-a-service basis under an “urgent statement of need,” as outlined in the fiscal year 2025 budget documents. However, the long-term goal is to evolve I-CSUAS into a fully established program of record, thereby ensuring sustained and reliable protection against small UAS threats.

This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that Marine Corps bases receive not only state-of-the-art counter-drone technology but also the full spectrum of support necessary for its successful integration and operation.

Anduril’s counter-drone systems

Anduril’s win is particularly notable given the company’s recent successes in the defense sector. Earlier in November 2024, Anduril secured a separate $200 million contract to provide its Anvil counter-unmanned aerial system for the USMC’s Marine Air Defense Integrated System.

The Anvil system is an autonomous kinetic interceptor that leverages Anduril’s proprietary AI-powered Lattice operating system to neutralize hostile small drones, specifically those classified as Group 1 and Group 2. According to the Pentagon, these drones weigh no more than 24 kilograms and operate at altitudes of up to 3,500 feet.

In addition to the Anvil system, the U.S. military placed further orders for Anduril’s counter-drone systems in October 2024. These orders included the Pulsar electronic protection suite and the Roadrunner autonomous, AI-driven drone hunter.

Both systems are designed to complement the existing array of counter-drone measures, ensuring that the Marine Corps can adapt to a variety of potential drone threats, from those relying on conventional kinetic capabilities to those using advanced electronic warfare tactics.

Future of counter-drone warfare

Anduril’s contract win reflects broader trends in modern warfare, where unmanned systems play an increasingly prominent role. As adversaries continue to develop more sophisticated drones, the need for agile and responsive countermeasures becomes ever more critical.

The Marine Corps’ decision to invest heavily in integrated counter-drone solutions is not just a short-term fix but a long-term strategy designed to ensure the security of its installations and personnel.

With ongoing investments in research and development, Anduril is likely to continue pushing the envelope in terms of what is possible in autonomous defense systems. The integration of its Lattice operating system with systems like Anvil, Pulsar, and Roadrunner exemplifies the potential of combining artificial intelligence with modern military hardware.

Recent developments reported by reputable defense publications and official government sources confirm that this is just the beginning. The rapid pace of technological innovation in the defense sector means that the systems deployed today will likely be upgraded and enhanced over the coming years, ensuring that the Marine Corps stays one step ahead of potential adversaries.