Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401 has announced its first procurement under the Replicator 2 initiative, awarding a contract for two DroneHunter F700 systems – designed and manufactured by Fortem Technologies.
The systems are expected to arrive by April and will significantly enhance US homeland defense against small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) threats.
The acquisition marks a major milestone in the War Department’s plan to rapidly deploy advanced counter‑UAS technologies to protect military bases and critical infrastructure across the United States.
“We’re designed to move at the speed of relevance, cutting through red tape, consolidating resources, and engaging venture capitalists, tech startups, and nontraditional defense firms as critical partners,” said Army Brigadier General Matt Ross, JIATF 401 Director.
“We have just one measure of effectiveness: to deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS capabilities to our warfighters both at home and abroad. This purchase of the DroneHunter system is a key first step in accomplishing our Replicator 2 mission,” Ross added.
Replicator 2: Accelerating Counter‑UAS Innovation
Launched in August 2023, the Replicator initiative is designed to fast‑track innovative technologies to US forces at scale and speed. While Replicator 1 focused on deploying thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains, Replicator 2 is dedicated specifically to countering small UAS threats.
JIATF 401 – established in August 2025 – serves as the lead organization for Replicator 2. Its mission: synchronize counter‑sUAS efforts across the department and quickly deliver joint capabilities to defend the homeland.
“Replicator 2 is not about starting from scratch,” Ross said. “It’s about leveraging the incredible innovation happening in the commercial sector and getting it deployed where it is needed most.”
DroneHunter F700: Advanced AI‑Driven Counter‑Drone Technology
The DroneHunter F700 is a reusable, AI-enabled interceptor drone engineered to safely neutralize hostile small drones – particularly in sensitive or congested environments where collateral effects must be minimized.
Key features include:
- AI‑powered radar detection and tracking of small, low‑flying drones
- Tethered net capture that safely retrieves intruding aircraft
- Secure towing of captured drones for controlled forensic analysis
- Designed for homeland use, where risk to civilians and infrastructure must remain low
This initial purchase will guide JIATF 401’s broader strategy to field tailored, cutting-edge counter‑UAS capabilities nationwide.
“This is one example that demonstrates how JIATF 401 has taken counter-drone efforts from a community of interest to a community of action,” Ross said. “The task force is focused on a whole-of-government approach, working with interagency partners and industry to build a layered defense against the full spectrum of small UAS threats to the homeland.”
Post Image Credit: US DoW
