US Launches ‘Replicator 2’ to Develop Low-Collateral Counter-Drone Tech
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has officially launched “Replicator 2,” its long-anticipated push for innovative counter-drone technology capable of disabling small uncrewed aerial systems (s-UAS) with minimal collateral damage.
A solicitation released Monday calls for scalable, cost-effective solutions to detect, identify, track, and neutralize small drones.
The initiative aims to counter the growing threat of low-cost drone attacks while avoiding the high cost and limited scalability of traditional radars, sensors, and radio frequency-based detection systems.
“We are proud to put all of the tools in our tool box — from our early onramp network of entrepreneurs to our deep commercial engagement and team of dual fluency experts — to … build DoD’s strategic C-UAS capabilities,” said DIU Director Doug Beck.
The DIU plans to select up to 10 finalists, each eligible for up to $1 million in funding, to participate in the Falcon Peak exercise this September. Top performers will secure further funding.
Targeting an Urgent Gap
Replicator 2 marks the next phase of the Pentagon’s broader Replicator program, which began with a focus on producing low-cost drones at scale.
This second phase pivots toward counter-sUAS capabilities in light of recent challenges, including the high cost of using advanced missiles to intercept cheap Houthi drones in the Red Sea.
The DIU described the effort as responding to the “pressing need” for low-cost, low-collateral solutions to complement high-end systems for early warning and threat neutralization.
“We understand there may be trade-offs in detection range and accuracy to drive down costs versus positively enabling a distributed sensing concept,” added Matthew Way, counter-UAS lead at DIU.
Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of US Northern Command, also emphasized the importance of a layered domain awareness network capable of detecting threats “from seabed to space.”
Interested companies must submit white papers by May 16.
