ContractSpecial Notice

AUTOMATED COUNTER-UAS EXPEDITIONARY SOLUTIONS (ACES)_RFI

DEPT OF DEFENSE
Response Deadline
Apr 7, 2026
Deadline passed
Days Remaining
0
Closed
Set-Aside
Full & Open
Notice Type
Special Notice

Contract Opportunity Analysis

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation, under the Department of the Air Force, has issued a Request for Information for Automated Counter-UAS Expeditionary Solutions to identify point-defense options against small unmanned aerial systems. The effort seeks mature or rapidly maturing low-cost, rapidly fieldable, fully automated end-to-end counter-UAS systems that can execute the detect-to-defeat sequence with minimal human intervention. Desired capabilities include multi-modal sensing, automated command and control with AI/ML, low-cost defeat mechanisms, rapid deployment, and an open system architecture to protect fixed and semi-fixed sites such as airbases, forward operating bases, and critical infrastructure, with the place of performance listed as Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Responses are due April 7, 2026, the RFI is for informational purposes only and will not result in a contract award, and the primary contact is Jennifer Skalski.

Classification Codes

NAICS Code
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
PSC Code
AC13
NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

Solicitation Documents

1 Files
ACES Request for Information_03242026.pdf
PDF169 KBMar 24, 2026
AI Summary
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Center for Rapid Innovation (AFRL/RSC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Automated Counter-UAS Expeditionary Solutions (ACES). This RFI seeks mature or rapidly maturing low-cost, rapidly fieldable, and fully automated end-to-end Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) solutions to address the growing threat of small, low-cost UAS to military and civilian assets. The government is interested in systems capable of performing the full "detect-to-defeat" sequence with minimal human intervention, focusing on automation, affordability, and rapid fielding for Group 1 and 2 UAS threats. Desired system attributes include an automated end-to-end kill chain, multi-modal sensing, automated Command and Control (C2) with AI/ML, low-cost defeat mechanisms, rapid deployment and usability, and an open system architecture. Responses are due by April 7, 2026, and will be used for informational purposes only, not to award a contract.

Related Contract Opportunities

Project Timeline

postedOriginal Solicitation PostedMar 24, 2026
deadlineResponse DeadlineApr 7, 2026
expiryArchive DateApr 8, 2026

Agency Information

Department
DEPT OF DEFENSE
Sub-Tier
DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE
Office
FA2385 USAF AFMC AFRL PZL AFRL RSKD

Point of Contact

Name
Jennifer Skalski

Place of Performance

Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, UNITED STATES

Official Sources