U.S. Army Seeks Counter-Drone Systems for Red Sands Trials
•February 11, 2026
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Why It Matters
Small‑UAV threats are eroding force protection, and the Army’s trials will define the next generation of hard‑kill counter‑drone solutions and procurement standards.
Key Takeaways
- •Army launches RFI for hard‑kill sUAS solutions.
- •Trials at Saudi Red Sands and U.S. test site.
- •Focus on Group 1‑3 small drones.
- •No procurement obligation; market research phase.
- •Industry must submit CAGE, SAM, NAICS details.
Pulse Analysis
The rapid proliferation of inexpensive, off‑the‑shelf drones has forced militaries worldwide to prioritize counter‑UAV capabilities. For the U.S. Army, the challenge lies not only in detecting low‑observable platforms but also in neutralizing them quickly in contested environments. By anchoring the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center, the Army can simulate real‑world threat conditions that mirror operations across the CENTCOM area of responsibility, providing a realistic proving ground for emerging technologies.
The RFI released by USARCENT and DEVCOM Armaments Center is a market‑research tool designed to capture a broad spectrum of hard‑kill concepts, from kinetic interceptors to directed‑energy weapons. Emphasizing Group 1‑3 sUAS—small, low‑altitude drones used for reconnaissance or attack—the solicitation invites vendors to demonstrate how their systems can operate in complex, contested airspaces. The dual‑location testing strategy, combining overseas and domestic sites, ensures that solutions are vetted against diverse terrain, electromagnetic environments, and operational tempos, thereby reducing risk before any formal acquisition.
For defense contractors, the Red Sands initiative represents a critical entry point into the Army’s evolving counter‑drone portfolio. While the RFI carries no binding purchase obligation, it offers a direct line of communication with senior Army acquisition officials and the chance to influence future requirement documents. Companies that can align their proposals with the Army’s emphasis on hard‑kill effectiveness, integration ease, and logistical footprint stand to gain a competitive edge as the service moves from research to procurement, potentially reshaping the broader market for counter‑UAV technologies.
U.S. Army seeks counter-drone systems for Red Sands trials
U.S. Army seeks counter‑drone systems for Red Sands trials
By Colton Jones
Feb 11 2026
Key Points
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The U.S. Army issued a Request for Information to support market research for the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge focused on countering Group 1–3 small unmanned aerial systems.
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The effort, led by USARCENT and DEVCOM AC, will conduct field assessments in Saudi Arabia and U.S. locations to evaluate counter‑sUAS technologies.
The U.S. Army issued a Request for Information to support market research for the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge 2026, focused on countering Group 1–3 small unmanned aerial systems, including activities at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center 23.2 at Shamal‑2 Range in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The notice seeks industry input to assist in determining an acquisition strategy for the challenge. The effort is led by U.S. Army Central Command (USARCENT), in coordination with the U.S. Army Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC), and centers on advancing technologies designed to defeat Group 1‑3 small unmanned aerial systems in complex and contested environments.
According to the notice, these experiments and assessments are intended to address what the Army describes as a growing threat posed by small drones to operational forces. By collaborating with government research and development organizations, academia, and industry, USARCENT and DEVCOM AC aim to evaluate innovative hard‑kill and related counter‑sUAS solutions in realistic operational settings.
The main performance locations for the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge are Red Sands in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a location within the continental United States to be determined. Previous experimentation sites have included Fort Drum, New York, and Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
The RFI states that the initiative will provide a venue for technology developers to engage directly with military personnel and assess how proposed systems address identified capability gaps and mission requirements. The focus is on systems capable of defeating Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aircraft, which generally include small, low‑altitude drones frequently used for reconnaissance or attack missions.
The Army emphasizes that the notice is for planning purposes only and that no solicitation document currently exists. “Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation,” the announcement states. It further clarifies that the government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to the RFI and that responses cannot be accepted as formal offers.
Vendors responding to the notice are required to submit specific company information, including company name, address, point of contact, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, SAM Unique Entity ID, and socio‑economic size status under NAICS code 541715. Submissions are to be sent via email to designated Army civilian contacts at ACC‑NJ. The notice specifies that no action is required within the posting system to express interest and that all email submissions will be treated as responses from interested vendors.
The Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge reflects the Army’s ongoing effort to test counter‑drone technologies in operationally relevant environments, including overseas locations within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. By conducting live assessments in Saudi Arabia and U.S.-based sites, the Army seeks to evaluate how emerging systems perform under conditions that mirror current threat environments.
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