FLYTRAP 6.0 Solicitation Updated.pdf

Sources Sought: Call For Technology

Project FLYTRAP 6.0

1. Open Call for Technology

The United States Army invites large and small businesses from across the globe to submit an application to provide Department of War (DoW) Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) technologies for potential participation in Project FLYTRAP 6.0, conducted in the EUCOM theater with V Corps.

Project FLYTRAP is a recurring US/UK exercise uniting maneuver forces, industry, and the acquisition community to rapidly field emerging counter-UAS (cUAS) technologies and inform Army requirements.

The exercise adheres to the core tenets of the FLYTRAP series: US/UK integration, maneuver formation focus, progressive difficulty, robust OPFOR, data-driven assessment, and forward engineering. Project FLYTRAP 6.0 is a U.S. Army-led multinational counter-UAS experimentation exercise where roughly 1,000 soldiers will operate across 50+ square kilometers in a large-scale combat operations (LSCO) environment.

Project FLYTRAP 6.0 is an operational-focused initiative designed to evaluate emerging C-UAS capabilities in a realistic environment. Selected participants may be invited to deploy their systems and provide equipment to U.S. Army units for continued operational evaluation following the event.

These kits will be assessed for suitability, effectiveness, interoperability, and operational relevance in support of Army modernization and capability development efforts.

Participation in Project FLYTRAP 6.0 provides industry partners the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate mature or near-mature capabilities in an operational setting.

• Receive direct feedback from U.S. Army users.

• Inform future requirements and experimentation.

During the FLYTRAP 6.0 exercise, selected technologies will be operated by U.S. Army personnel in a replicated combat environment. Vendors should be prepared to train soldiers to operate and employ their equipment and to perform basic operator-level troubleshooting.

All selected vendors must participate in one Risk Reduction Exercise in the EUCOM theater to test and validate the networking and interoperability of selected technologies prior to the FLYTRAP event.

Because some Risk Reduction Exercises will occur early in the application review window, vendors are strongly encouraged to submit applications early. If your system is subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements, V Corps will sponsor an ITAR Exemption Request through the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army - Defense Exports and Cooperation [DASA(DE&C)] to assist down selected vendors to support the approval process for operating the equipment the

EUCOM theater.

The intent of the FLYTRAP 6.0 event is to identify select technology and vendors for potential rapid fielding to warfighters following the event, including possible immediate fielding. Vendors should describe their manufacturing readiness and ability to supply their technologies to the Army in the event of follow-on acquisition opportunities. Participation in Project FLYTRAP 6.0 may also inform consideration for potential follow-on engagement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), including possible agreements or other collaborative opportunities. Participation does not guarantee any follow-on action, funding, or engagement opportunity.

2. Information Requested:

Register and submit 1-page Quad Chart + White Paper (White Paper not to exceed 10 pages).

Due to limited slots, submission of an application does not guarantee attendance, participation, selection, or future contracting opportunities. The Government reserves the right to limit attendance, select participants, or decline registrations at its sole discretion. This notice is issued for planning and market research purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by the U.S.

Government.

Selection of participants, if any, will be informed by Government-defined focus areas, operational needs, and available capacity. Submission of materials does not constitute an agreement or obligation by the U.S. Government.

DD Form 1494 may be submitted after the application but must be submitted no later than November

13th, 2026.

3. Capability Common Information Requirements

The intent of this exercise is to find c-UAS capabilities for mounted or dismounted offensive maneuver operations. The goal is to identify capabilities with broad applicability NOT restricted to c-

UAS mission sets, but with c-UAS cross functionality. While FLYTRAP will test capabilities in c-UAS scenarios, systems with broad applicability to the other areas of maneuver warfare have greater utility.

Vendors should address ALL of the following capability areas in their submissions. If a common requirement is not applicable to the submitted capability, vendor should explicitly specify “Not

Applicable” for that requirement.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

1. Per-Unit Cost: Provide cost per unit, complete system, or software license as applicable to the capability. Pricing should accurately reflect the asset’s intended operational lifecycle, deployment model, and expected service life (e.g., attritable, multi-use, or persistent hardware/software).

2. Supply Chain & Availability: Detail current production capacity, lead times for bulk orders (e.g., 100, 500, 1000+ units), and ability to guarantee participation at FLYTRAP 6.0 in May 2027 with at least two systems. Vendors should detail plan for supporting delivery to forward unit and operator training in the EUCOM theater by February 2027.

3. Attrition & Replenishment Strategy: Describe options for field repair kits, bulk "spare parts" packages (props, wings, cables, power supplies, etc.), in-theater 3D-printable parts, and your company's strategy for rapid replenishment. Generally describe components that may cause excessive downtime (e.g., single-supplier components with long replacement lead times).

4. NDAA Supply Chain Compliance: While not a firm requirement for participation in this exercise, describe the system's current level of compliance with Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) regarding parts-sourcing. If not fully compliant, describe the roadmap, estimated timeline, and projected cost implications to achieve full compliance.

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

1. Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Resilience: Describe the system’s ability to remain effective or be configured for operation in contested electromagnetic environments.

Describe the ability to:

a) Operate across multiple, selectable C2 protocols.

b) Adjust Global Navigation Satellite Systems dependency with little to no physical modification (e.g., operate in GNSS-enabled, denied, spoofed modes, change or limit the GNSS being used, etc.).

c) Program/modify communication links (e.g., frequency hopping, protocols, encryption levels).

2. Operational & Physical Resilience: Describe the system’s ability to maintain or restore functionality following degradation, loss, damage, or disruption of system components, platforms, or communications links. Detail relevant redundancy, failover capability, modularity, field-replaceable components, repairability, and reconstitution.

3. Signature Management: Describe the system’s relevant baseline signatures or observable characteristics and any ability to modify, augment, reduce, or emulate them for operational or training purposes (e.g., RF/electromagnetic emissions, network or communications signatures, radar cross section, thermal/IR, acoustic, or visual signatures), as applicable.

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. Open Systems Architecture: Detail system alignment, compliance, or conformance with open standards, including Modular Opens Systems Approach (MOSA), Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA), C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS), Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA), Sensing for Asset Protection with Integrated Electronic Networked Technology (SAPIENT).

2. Command & Control (C2) Integration: Detail any existing or planned integration with NATO or US systems (e.g., TAK, UHF radio, SAPIENT, ISA), and provide information on the availability of an API for integration into other C2 systems (e.g., IBCS-M, Maven).

3. Data & Telemetry: Describe the system's ability to provide real-time telemetry (e.g., location, altitude, speed, status, etc.) to an exercise control (EXCON) cell. Detail post-operation data logging capabilities for After-Action Reviews (AAR).

4. NATO Standardization: Note any compliance with relevant NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAGs).

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

1. Spectrum Compliance: CRITICAL REQUIREMENT, any spectrum dependent system or component thereof (e.g., radios, radars, jammers, etc.) must have a complete DD Form 1494. Detail your company's experience with the official Department of War (DoW) process for obtaining spectrum supportability and frequency assignment, including obtaining Host Nation Approval (HNA) for spectrum dependent equipment in the EUCOM theater. Briefly describe spectrum supportability status for use in other theaters/regions.

2. Safety & Geofencing: Describe the system's emergency stop, fail-safe, or cutoff mechanism (e.g., Flight Termination Systems, emergency RF/power cutoffs, software kill switches) and spatial containment capabilities (e.g., geofencing or boundary limits) to ensure safe operation within the confines of a designated Training Area.

3. Logistical Footprint: Provide details on the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of the full system (e.g., ground station, support equipment, typical number of units, etc.). This is essential for transportation and movement planning.

● SWaP-C Optimization

1. Size & Weight: Minimize physical footprint and weight to support employment on man-portable, vehicle-mounted, or airborne platforms.

2. Power Efficiency: Reduce power demand and thermal burden to support sustained operations from tactical and expeditionary power sources. Describe ability to operate from NATO / US-standard power supply connections (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120/240V, NATO STANAG 4074, MIL-PRF-62122, etc.). Describe whether your system requires or can utilize an alternative power source, such as a battery or generator.

3. Cost Efficiency: Lower acquisition and integration costs to enable broader fielding, scalable deployment, and attritable employment where appropriate.

4. Capability Area-Specific Information Requirements:

Vendors should address one or more of the following capability areas in their submissions. The common requirements identified in Section 4 apply to all capability areas. The requirements below identify only additional or capability-specific information:

4.1) C2: Integrate data from distributed sensors and other operational systems, fuse it into a coherent operating picture, and deliver timely, actionable information to support command decisions, targeting, and mission planning.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. Tactical Radio Integration: Describe the ability to integrate with current and emerging tactical radio architectures, including supported waveforms, protocols, and gateway requirements.

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

4.2) RF Detect: Identify, characterize, and locate RF emitters across the battlespace, providing timely threat awareness and actionable data to support force protection, targeting, and operational decision-making.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

1. Software Modularity & User Configuration: Describe the ability to tailor system software permissions and user interfaces to different user roles, including simplified operation for non-EW users and advanced configuration and control for EW specialists / power users.

2. Rapidly Programmable: Ability to quickly modify detection parameters / frequencies in response to changing targets and operational conditions.

3. Ease of Use: Ability to be operated by non-technical personnel.

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

● SWaP-C Optimization

● Link Signals

1. Geolocation: Ability to detect, direction-find, and geolocate command, control, navigation, or data-link signals associated with the threat system.

4.3) Radar (Passive): Detect, track, and characterize targets using existing electromagnetic emissions in the environment, providing persistent situational awareness without transmitting and while minimizing the system’s own RF signature.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. Configurate Data Rate & Bandwidth Optimization: Describe the ability to adjust data rates, bandwidth consumption, and data products to support operation across constrained networks.

2. Ease of Use: Ability to be operated by non-technical personnel.

● SWaP-C Optimization

4.4) Radar (Active): Detect, track, classify, and precisely locate multiple targets across relevant operating environments, including low-signature and maneuvering threats, while providing the range, velocity, and track-quality data required for situational awareness, targeting, and engagement support.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. Configurate Data Rate & Bandwidth Optimization: Describe the ability to adjust data rates, bandwidth consumption, and data products to support operation across constrained networks.

2. Ease of Use: Ability to be operated by non-technical personnel.

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

● SWaP-C Optimization

● Output Control

1. Rapidly Programmable: Ability to quickly modify engagement parameters and effect settings in response to changing targets and operational conditions.

2. Variable Power & Frequency Output: Ability to adjust delivered power and frequency to achieve the desired effect based on target type, range, and host nation requirements.

4.5) Acoustic: Detect, classify, and help locate UAS and other threats by identifying distinctive sound signatures, providing persistent situational awareness and complementary sensing where RF or radar detection may be limited.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

4.6) EO/IR: Detect, classify, identify, and track targets across visible and infrared wavelengths, providing high-confidence identification, precision tracking, and target-quality data to support threat assessment and engagement.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

1. Environmental Utility: Describe the effectiveness across a wide range of environmental conditions (e.g., rain, fog, nighttime, upper atmospheric variation, etc.).

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

4.7) RF Defeat: Disrupt, degrade, deceive, or deny adversary RF-enabled capabilities through responsive, targeted effects while minimizing interference with friendly systems and supporting coordinated electromagnetic spectrum operations.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

1. Software Modularity & User Configuration: Describe the ability to tailor system software permissions and user interfaces to different user roles, including simplified operation for non-EW users and advanced configuration and control for EW specialists / power users.

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

● SWaP-C Optimization

● Link Signals

1. Engagement: Ability to target and disrupt command, control, navigation, or data-link signals associated with the threat system.

● Output Control

1. Rapidly Programmable: Ability to quickly modify engagement parameters and effect settings in response to changing targets and operational conditions.

2. Variable Power & Frequency Output: Ability to adjust delivered power to achieve the desired effect based on target type, range, and host nation requirements.

3. Software Defined Radio (SDR): Ability to configure frequencies, waveforms, bandwidths, modulation, and other RF output parameters through software.

4.8) Kinetic: Provide timely and effective defeat of threats through physical effects, including direct engagement of airborne targets and, where applicable, associated launch, control, or enabling systems, while minimizing collateral risk.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: must be compatible with currently fielded U.S. Army weapon systems without modification.

2. Networkable: Describe ability to integrate with external sensors, C2 systems, or other effectors to receive targeting data or support distributed operations.

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

1. Surface Danger Zones: Describe SDZ associated with this weapon, as to support employment within theater, range, and operational safety constraints.

● SWaP-C Optimization

1. Size & Weight: Describe the ability to be man-portable or vehicle-mounted.

2. Platform Integration: compatible with man-portable, current U.S. CROWS, or mountable to tactical vehicles.

● Optional/Bonus

1. Non-traditional Kinetic: Describe ability to defeat or disable threats through alternative physical mechanisms (e.g., independent target tracking by munition, etc.).

4.9) Directed Energy: Rapidly engage and defeat targets through concentrated electromagnetic energy, providing precise, scalable effects with low per-engagement cost and a deep magazine for repeated engagements.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

1. Networkable: Describe ability to integrate with external sensors, C2 systems, or other effectors to receive targeting data or support distributed operations.

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

1. Surface Danger Zones: Describe SDZ associated with this weapon, as to support employment within theater, range, and operational safety constraints.

2. Operational Robustness: Describe ability to operate safely and reliably in austere and/or varying environments (e.g., rain, dust, etc.).

1. Size & Weight: Describe the ability to be man-portable or vehicle-mounted, broken down by component (e.g., emitter, power source, supporting equipment, etc.).

2. Power Efficiency: Describe the power consumption required to operate and other relevant parameters (e.g., rates of fire, cooldown period, thermal load, etc.).

3. Platform Integration: Must be compatible with man-portable, current U.S. CROWS, or mountable to tactical vehicles.

● Output Control

1. Rapidly Programmable: Ability to quickly modify engagement parameters and effect settings in response to changing targets and operational conditions.

2. Variable Power Output: Ability to adjust delivered power to achieve the desired effect based on target type, range, and engagement requirements.

4.10) Deceive: Manipulate adversary positioning, navigation, timing (PNT), sensing, targeting, or decision-making by presenting false or misleading information, causing threats to misidentify, mislocate, or improperly engage intended targets.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

4.11) c-UAS Launched Effect: Rapidly launch and employ UAS to detect, track, intercept, and defeat targets through autonomous or operator-directed engagement, extending reach beyond fixed or ground-based systems.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

1. Surface Danger Zones: Describe SDZ associated with this weapon, as to support employment within theater, range, and operational safety constraints.

● SWaP-C Optimization

1. Size & Weight: Specify size and weight of entire kit, broken down by component (e.g., interceptor, launcher, payload, etc.).

2. Power Efficiency: Describe power requirements of entire kit, broken down by component (e.g., interceptor, launcher, payload, etc.).

● Performance & Flight Control

1. Flight Characteristics: Specify the drone's group/classification, typical flight profile, including maximum/minimum speed, service ceiling, and endurance. Describe intended target sets by UAS Group (e.g., Group 3 only, Group 1 and Group 2, etc.).

2. Control Modes: Describe the system’s firing control and degree of autonomy (e.g., fully manual, human-in-the-loop, human-on-the-loop, fully autonomous, etc.).

3. Swarming Capability: Describe any existing or planned capability to control multiple units from a single ground station to defeat a swarming threat.

4.12) Targetry: Provide affordable, threat-representative aerial targets that replicate relevant flight profiles, signatures, behaviors, and performance characteristics while remaining sufficiently attritable to support realistic testing, training, and repeated live-fire engagement.

● Cost & Lifecycle Management

1. Per-Unit Cost: Provide cost per unit. Submissions should demonstrate a clear understanding that these are attritable assets with a short life expectancy.

● Modular Survivability & Signature Profile

1. Operational & Physical Resilience: The airframe must be designed for resilience and repairability after being engaged by kinetic effectors of small caliber. Detail the modularity of the design, field-replaceable components, and materials used.

2. Signature Management: Describe the drone's baseline signature and any ability to augment it for training purposes (e.g., adding radar reflectors to modify RCS, thermal emitters for IR signatures, indication of hits, etc.).

● Interoperability, Integration, & Data Management

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

● Performance & Flight Control

1. Flight Characteristics: Specify the drone's group/classification, typical flight profile, including maximum/minimum speed, service ceiling, and endurance. High maneuverability to simulate agile threats is required.

2. Control Modes: The system must support, at a minimum, one of the following:

a) Manual Piloted Flight.

b) Semi-Autonomous Flight (e.g., pre-programmed waypoint navigation).

c) (Bonus): Fully-Autonomous/AI-driven flight capable of dynamic reactions to stimuli.

3. Swarming Capability: Describe any existing or planned capability to control multiple units from a single ground station to present a swarming threat.

Expansion of Scope to Non-Terrestrial-Based Systems: Provide operationally relevant sensing, communications, data, or effects (e.g., Assured PNT, Alt PNT, etc.) that can be integrated into tactical

C2 and decision-making, including space-based assets, ground systems that utilize space-based infrastructure, and other non-maneuverable platforms.

Points of Contact

• Submission Portal: https://universityoflouisville.my.site.com/FlytrapApplications/

• Technical POC: CPT Shase T. Hawkins (shase.t.hawkins.mil@army.mil)

• Technical POC: MAJ Jared W. Whitaker (jared.w.whitaker.mil@army.mil)

• Submission POC: Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kentucky (OnRampHubKY@diu.mil)

5. Safety and Disclaimer

Vendors should identify any safety, operational, regulatory, or integration risks associated with their proposed capability and provide appropriate risk management documentation, particularly for non-traditional, developmental, or otherwise unique systems. Documentation should address known hazards, required controls or mitigations, operational limitations, and any special handling, testing, employment, or approval requirements necessary to support safe evaluation and use.

6. Official Timeline

FLYTRAP 6.0 competition timeline is detailed below:

● 18 SEP 2026: Solicitation posted to SAM.gov

● 18 SEP 2026 – 16 OCT 2026: FLYTRAP 6.0 application submission window

● 13 NOV 2026: Final deadline for submission of DD Form 1494

● NOV 2026*: 1st Risk Reduction Exercise in the EUCOM theater

● 29 JAN 2027: Final down select notifications sent to applicants

● FEB 2027*: 2nd Risk Reduction Exercise in the EUCOM theater

● MAR 2027: FLYTRAP 6.0 Supplemental Technical Evaluation† at Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA

● MAY 2027: Targeted execution date for FLYTRAP 6.0 exploration exercise in the EUCOM theater

*Specific dates for Risk Reduction exercises are subject to change.

†The Supplemental Technical Evaluation is required only for companies with promising technologies that have not previously been sufficiently validated.

7. Contractor Support:

https://universityoflouisville.my.site.com/FlytrapApplications/ mailto:shase.t.hawkins.mil@army.mil mailto:jared.w.whitaker.mil@army.mil mailto:OnRampHubKY@diu.mil

The Government may use contracted personnel to provide administrative assistance to federal employees regarding all aspects of any actions ensuing from this announcement, including the evaluation of white papers and subsequent proposals. Government support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements (NDA) to protect proprietary and source-selection information and/or awarded contract(s) to provide the support outlined above. They are not permitted to release any source-selection information to third parties, including others in their organization. By submitting a white paper, offerors hereby grant support contractors access to financial, confidential, proprietary, and/or trade secret markings.

8. Organization Conflict of Interest (OCI) – Technology Demonstrators:

Respondents are participating solely as technology demonstrators and will not perform assessment, evaluation, scoring, or advisory functions related to other technologies to preserve the integrity, fairness, and objectivity of the event.

Responses to this sources sought are to be UNCLASSIFIED, and are due NLT 2359 hrs. (EDT), 16

October 2026, to OnRamp Hub: Kentucky. The following link can be used for submissions:

https://universityoflouisville.my.site.com/FlytrapApplications/ https://universityoflouisville.my.site.com/FlytrapApplications/

● Theater Entry & Operational Compliance

3. Swarming Capability: Describe any existing or planned capability to control multiple units from a single ground station to present a swarming threat.

Expansion of Scope to Non-Terrestrial-Based Systems: Provide operationally relevant sensing, communications, data, or effects (e.g., Assured PNT, Alt PNT, etc.) that can be integrated into tactical C2 and decision-making, including space-based assets,...