New designation streamlines procurement of Fortem counter-drone methods for Military and different U.S. companies
The U.S. Military has chosen Fortem Applied sciences as one of many first protection firms 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 offers Military organizations and different U.S. Authorities companies a sooner approach 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 Fast 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 extra competitors. That construction is meant to scale back delays usually 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 business to the sector extra rapidly, assist speedy testing and iteration, and allow follow-on manufacturing underneath authorities similar to 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f).
Sure NATO and allied companies can also be capable of order by the Market, topic to relevant legal guidelines and safety agreements. That functionality may assist align C-UAS instruments throughout companions going through related small drone threats.
“Transformational” for Getting Tech to the Tactical Edge
Fortem Applied sciences CEO Jon Gruen stated the choice adjustments how rapidly front-line customers can entry counter-drone instruments.
“That is transformational for our prospects and for the mission of saving lives,” stated Fortem Applied sciences CEO Jon Gruen. “The Division of the Military has created a brand new mannequin for getting vital know-how to the tactical edge, and Fortem is honored to be among the many first firms chosen. G-TEAD offers commanders a approach to procure confirmed C-UAS capabilities like DroneHunter® and SkyDome® in weeks moderately than years – which implies they’ll area what they want on the tempo the risk is evolving.”
For commanders and program places of work, the Market might scale back each the executive burden and the time required to maneuver from requirement to fielded functionality. For a risk setting the place small drones are evolving rapidly, shorter timelines generally is a vital issue.
How G-TEAD Matches Into Military Modernization
The G-TEAD Market is described as a central part 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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Help speedy scaling of methods that carry out effectively in real-world circumstances.
Fortem’s admission alerts that its autonomous counter-UAS methods have handed Military vetting and met aggressive requirements wanted for speedy enlargement underneath this system.
The corporate plans to work carefully with Military Contracting Command, functionality leads, and operational items as G-TEAD expands throughout theaters and mission units. That collaboration is predicted 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, monitor, and defeat unauthorized or hostile drones in advanced 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 army, authorities, and business 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 Clients
For U.S. Military items, the G-TEAD Market gives a brand new channel to carry Fortem’s methods into base protection, maneuver assist, and different mission profiles the place small drones pose a threat.
Different U.S. Authorities companies with ordering authority may 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 methods 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 more likely to function a take a look at case for the way rapidly 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 companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone business and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the business drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the business. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand spanking new applied sciences.
For drone business consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.
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