Thunderdome 2026: Low-Cost Interceptors for Counter-UAS
Contract Opportunity Analysis
The Department of the Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and the UX-24 Unmanned Aircraft Test Squadron are seeking information from industry regarding low-cost interceptors for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Respondents are expected to provide details on systems capable of countering adversarial Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems for the Thunderdome 2026 technology demonstration. Proposed interceptor systems must weigh less than 18 pounds, achieve airspeeds of at least 85 knots, cost under $25,000 to produce, and operate non-kinetically during the field testing. The demonstration will take place from August 17 to August 21, 2026, at the Naval Air Warfare Center Webster Outlying Field in St. Inigoes, Maryland, with all system information and technical approaches due via the online application portal by July 17, 2026.