The Department of Homeland Security is putting up to $1.5 billion behind a new counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) program, awarding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts to 14 vendors led by Anduril, Booz Allen Hamilton and General Dynamics Information Technology, per procurement documents posted Friday and reported by FedScoop on August 4, 2026.
Two tracks, 14 vendors, one urgent gap
DHS split the awards into two tracks. Track one, for hardware, software and ancillary services, has an estimated ceiling of just over $1 billion and includes Fortem Technologies, D-Fend Solutions and CACI International alongside Leidos and BAE Systems. Track two, for “comprehensive services” up to a $500 million ceiling, hands system integration, R&D and fully managed C-UAS capability to Anduril Industries, Booz Allen Hamilton, GDIT, Leidos and BAE Systems. Only Leidos and BAE appear on both tracks. Forty-seven vendors bid.
What DHS wants the systems to do
Per the statement of work, chosen contractors must field systems that can detect a UAS at a minimum range of two kilometers, track at least three drones simultaneously and mitigate threats at a minimum range of 500 meters. Vendors are also on the hook for installation, training, maintenance and detailed test-report deliverables. The contracts started at the beginning of August and run through 2031.
Why DHS is spending now
DHS officials have repeatedly said the agency’s counter-drone capability is lagging. “We’re behind the hook,” DHS S&T under secretary Pedro Allende told a Commercial Drone Alliance event last week, noting that everything from layered defenses to jamming, take-over and kinetic effectors is on the table. Secretary Markwayne Mullin has told Congress the agency has poured “tremendous” money into offensive drone capabilities but that its counter-drone posture needs urgent improvement. Another $250 million tranche for state and local drone-mitigation infrastructure is queued up for fiscal 2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Where it fits in the broader push
The award lands as the U.S. drone-defense buildout accelerates. It follows Anduril’s selection under the Pentagon’s Replicator program, the U.S. Army’s $99M Heaviside Industries MOTH award, and the earlier $500M AeroVironment counter-drone contract, cementing counter-UAS as one of the highest-volume federal buys of 2026. It also comes as the FBI acknowledges its own counter-drone training center is not keeping pace with demand.
Reporting based on coverage from FedScoop, USAspending records and DHS solicitation documents on SAM.gov.