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US Army Accelerates SUAS Procurement
The US Army is moving quickly to get more small drones into soldiers’ hands.
On November 24 the US Army released a second Sources Sought Notification aimed at accelerating SUAS procurement — small uncrewed aircraft systems (SUAS) — for a Company-Level Directed Requirement. The notice follows an initial push in March 2024 and is designed to shorten acquisition timelines so company-level units can field more capable systems sooner.
The Army’s language stresses speed, modularity and practical soldier-facing upgrades. This expanded industry outreach asks vendors to show how they can deliver ready-to-use SUAS kits that meet real-world battlefield constraints while integrating into existing logistics and sustainment chains.
Why the Army is speeding SUAS procurement
By issuing a second Sources Sought, the service signals two priorities: leverage commercial innovation and reduce bureaucracy that slows fielding. The Company-Level Directed Requirement focuses on systems that platoons and companies can operate and maintain with minimal new training. The Army wants solutions that close capability gaps now, not in years.
- Faster SUAS procurement timelines that push prototypes toward rapid fielding.
- Modular payloads for observation, targeting and limited electronic support.
- Rugged, easy-to-maintain airframes suited to company-level logistics.
- Interoperability with existing command-and-control systems and soldier kits.
The move is notable because Sources Sought notices are used to map industry capabilities before formal contracting. This second notice suggests the Army has found enough interest to justify widening the net and potentially accelerating subsequent contract vehicles. It also reflects a broader trend: militaries increasingly rely on small unmanned systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at the tactical edge.
For defense firms, the message is clear — show practical, deployable SUAS designs that reduce lifecycle burden and can be fielded quickly. For soldiers, faster procurement could mean more persistent situational awareness and lower-risk reconnaissance at the platoon and company level. Watch for follow-up solicitations and possible rapid acquisition routes in the months ahead.
