New designation streamlines procurement of Fortem counter-drone techniques for Military and different U.S. companies
The U.S. Military has chosen Fortem Applied sciences as one of many first protection corporations admitted to its new International Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Market, a contracting framework designed to hurry superior know-how to operational items.
The designation provides Military organizations and different U.S. Authorities companies a sooner means to purchase Fortem’s counter-unmanned plane system (C-UAS) options, together with the DroneHunter® interceptor and SkyDome® airspace consciousness system.
A New Pathway for Speedy C-UAS Procurement
Underneath Fortem’s settlement with the G-TEAD Market, eligible Military items and different U.S. Authorities companies with contracting authority can purchase Fortem merchandise with out further competitors. That construction is meant to scale back delays typically related to conventional procurement cycles.
The Market is a part of a broader Military effort to modernize acquisition. The framework is designed to maneuver know-how from trade to the sphere extra shortly, assist fast testing and iteration, and allow follow-on manufacturing underneath authorities corresponding to 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f).
Sure NATO and allied companies can also have the ability to order by way of the Market, topic to relevant legal guidelines and safety agreements. That functionality may assist align C-UAS instruments throughout companions dealing with related small drone threats.
“Transformational” for Getting Tech to the Tactical Edge
Fortem Applied sciences CEO Jon Gruen mentioned the choice adjustments how shortly front-line customers can entry counter-drone instruments.
“That is transformational for our prospects and for the mission of saving lives,” mentioned Fortem Applied sciences CEO Jon Gruen. “The Division of the Military has created a brand new mannequin for getting crucial know-how to the tactical edge, and Fortem is honored to be among the many first corporations chosen. G-TEAD provides commanders a solution to procure confirmed C-UAS capabilities like DroneHunter® and SkyDome® in weeks somewhat than years – which suggests they will area what they want on the tempo the risk is evolving.”
For commanders and program places of work, the Market might cut back each the executive burden and the time required to maneuver from requirement to fielded functionality. For a risk atmosphere the place small drones are evolving shortly, shorter timelines generally is a crucial issue.
How G-TEAD Suits Into Military Modernization
The G-TEAD Market is described as a central element of the Military’s sweeping acquisition modernization effort. The framework is constructed to:
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Push extra decision-making nearer to area items.
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Speed up testing and suggestions from operational customers.
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Assist fast scaling of techniques that carry out properly in real-world circumstances.
Fortem’s admission indicators that its autonomous counter-UAS techniques have handed Military vetting and met aggressive requirements wanted for fast enlargement underneath this system.
The corporate plans to work intently with Military Contracting Command, functionality leads, and operational items as G-TEAD expands throughout theaters and mission units. That collaboration is anticipated to assist align future product growth and upgrades with rising operational wants.
Fortem’s C-UAS Portfolio
Fortem develops autonomous airspace safety options designed to detect, observe, and defeat unauthorized or hostile drones in complicated environments.
The corporate’s AI-powered SkyDome® Household of Techniques brings collectively:
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TrueView™ radar and sensor know-how.
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Command-and-control software program for airspace consciousness.
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DroneHunter® interceptors for autonomous drone-on-drone engagement.
The corporate states that it’s the solely supplier licensed to deploy a drone-on-drone kinetic interceptor in U.S. airspace. Its applied sciences have been utilized in operational deployments in Ukraine, the Center East, and East Asia, supporting navy, authorities, and industrial prospects.
Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, Fortem is privately held and backed by traders together with Lockheed Martin, DCVC, Toshiba, AE Industrial Companions, AIM13, and Signia Enterprise Companions.
Implications for Authorities and Allied Prospects
For U.S. Military items, the G-TEAD Market affords a brand new channel to convey Fortem’s techniques into base protection, maneuver assist, and different mission profiles the place small drones pose a threat.
Different U.S. Authorities companies with ordering authority also can use the identical framework. Which will make it simpler to align C-UAS acquisitions throughout completely different elements of the federal authorities.
For choose NATO and allied companions, entry underneath relevant agreements may assist standardize C-UAS architectures and coaching. Shared instruments and related techniques could make it simpler to coordinate operations and share classes discovered from real-world deployments.
Because the Military continues to refine its acquisition processes, the G-TEAD Market is prone to function a check case for a way shortly rising applied sciences can transition from growth to routine use within the area. Fortem’s early participation locations its C-UAS portfolio inside that effort to hurry adoption of counter-drone capabilities.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone area and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.
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