#FEBRUARY2026 NEWSWIRE

EU Counter-Drone Action Plan Published (Feb 11)

The European Commission released its long-anticipated counter-drone action plan, establishing the first EU-wide policy framework for C-UAS standardization, certification, and procurement coordination. The plan calls for:

• EU Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence (operational by Q4 2026, likely to slip)
• C-UAS certification scheme (ETSI/CEN standards development; first certifications expected Q2–Q3 2027)
• Coordinated procurement framework (unified RFQ across Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland by 2027)
• Harmonized legal framework (member-state legislation by end 2027, aspirational)

Significance: Policy signal rather than binding mandate. Implementation timelines likely to extend 18–36 months beyond published dates. Vendors should expect certification cost and timeline burden; buyers should assume current independent procurement timelines remain necessary.

Related content: See full briefing on EU Counter-Drone Action Plan.

White House Task Force Recommendations Expected (Late Feb/Early March)

Industry sources indicate the White House Counter-UAS Task Force (established late 2025) will publish recommendations addressing:

• Federal acquisition streamlining (simplified C-UAS procurement for civilian agencies)
• Domestic manufacturing incentives (tax credits, investment acceleration for U.S.-based production)
• FCC Covered List implementation guidance (clarification on gray-market and DIY platform enforcement)
• International coordination (NATO/EU interoperability, intelligence sharing frameworks)

Timing: Expected publication week of Feb 24–28; possible delay into early March.

Procurement implication: Recommendations may unlock federal procurement momentum; expect announcement of first large-scale civilian agency C-UAS contracts (FAA, DHS, USDA) within weeks of task force publication.

JIATF-401 Golden Dome Integration Reaches Operational Status

The Joint Interagency Task Force-401 (counter-UAS intelligence fusion center, Hurlburt Field, Florida) has achieved operational integration of the Golden Dome tactical C-UAS orchestration system. Golden Dome enables:

• Real-time multi-agency sensor fusion (DHS, DOD, FBI, State Department, Customs and Border Protection feeds integrated into single tactical display)
• Automated threat classification (anomalous drone activity automatically flagged; operator confirmation required for engagement authorization)
• Distributed engagement coordination (JIATF-401 directs C-UAS assets across multiple agencies and jurisdictions)

Scope: Currently operational for major national security events (State of the Union, presidential travel, international summits). Expansion to permanent infrastructure protection (critical national assets, borders) planned for 2026.

Industry relevance: Golden Dome integration establishes technical standard for multi-agency C2 systems. C-UAS vendors seeking federal contracts must demonstrate compatibility with Golden Dome architecture (API-level integration, data format compatibility, latency performance <2 seconds).

Contract implications: First major integration contracts awarded 2026; expect $50M+ in C-UAS C2 integrator work over next 18 months.

Fortem Technologies Wins Multimillion-Dollar World Cup Contract

Denver-based Fortem Technologies announced a multimillion-dollar contract (estimated $8–12M) with the U.S. State Department and host-city procurement authorities to deploy counter-drone defense at 2026 FIFA World Cup venues. The deployment includes:

System Components

• DroneHunter autonomous interceptor (300+ units across 12 host cities)
• TrueView R30 camera system (comprehensive airspace surveillance; ~200 units)
• SkyDome acoustic array (perimeter monitoring; ~100 deployments)
• Tactical C2 integration (Fortem proprietary orchestration; integration with JIATF-401 Golden Dome for federal coordination)

Deployment Scale

• Venues: 12 FIFA World Cup host-city stadiums (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.)
• Perimeter coverage: Minimum 5 km radius per venue
• Deployment timeline: Full operational status by May 31, 2026 (World Cup begins June 13)

Significance

This represents the largest integrated C-UAS deployment ever undertaken in a U.S. civilian context. Previous multi-site deployments (Olympic Games, Super Bowl) have been smaller and more fragmented. The World Cup contract establishes:

1. Real-world validation of loitering-munition-based C-UAS at scale
2. Precedent for future mega-events (establishing Fortem as default vendor for major sporting/political events)
3. Government confidence in kinetic engagement authorization (Fortem's DroneHunter requires explicit kinetic permission; deployment tacitly endorses loitering-munition methodology)

Competitive Implications

The contract strengthens Fortem's market position relative to:

• RF-domain competitors (Sentrycs, D-Fend): Does not position RF-only systems as sufficient
• Multi-sensor vendors (Dedrone, Hensoldt): Fortem's integrated platform (kinetic + optical + acoustic) is more complete than Dedrone's RF-centric approach
• Military vendors (Rheinmetall, RTX): Demonstrates civilian applicability of kinetic C-UAS, legitimizing the technology category

Expected follow-on: Following World Cup deployment, expect 5–10 additional civilian critical infrastructure contracts (major airports, power plants, government facilities) leveraging World Cup operational experience.

Quantum Systems €180 Million Series C Funding

Munich-based Quantum Systems (producer of the Teleryx drone platform and SwiftBroadcast C2 system) announced a €180 million Series C funding round led by European defense prime Rheinmetall. Co-investors include German government development bank KfW and strategic investors from France, Poland, and Netherlands.

Significance

1. Rheinmetall strategic investment signals intent to acquire Quantum Systems (likely 12–24 months forward)
2. European venture validation of commercial drone/C-UAS hybrid business model
3. Defense supply chain consolidation (Rheinmetall absorbing drone intelligence and autonomous capability into portfolio)

Use of Proceeds

• €80M: Manufacturing capacity expansion (Germany, Poland, France)
• €50M: Autonomous navigation and AI platform development
• €30M: Market expansion (U.S. establishment, NATO partnerships)
• €20M: Working capital and contingency

Market Implications

Quantum Systems' funding round signals:

1. Strong investor confidence in European C-UAS market (€180M is substantial for pre-acquisition private capital)
2. Defense primes prioritizing organic growth (Rheinmetall preferring investment + acquisition over organic development)
3. Autonomous capability as critical procurement feature (funding emphasis on autonomous navigation indicates market demand for operator-independent operation)

Timeline: Expect Rheinmetall acquisition announcement 2027; integration into Skyranger platform ecosystem.

RTX (Raytheon Technologies) Coyote Block 3NK Swarm Demonstration

RTX Technologies conducted a swarm demonstration of the Coyote Block 3NK loitering munition system at White Sands Missile Range (New Mexico), showcasing multi-platform coordination capabilities.

Technical Demonstration

• 12 Coyote Block 3NK platforms simultaneously tasked to specific engagement objectives
• Autonomous threat prioritization (each platform executed independent targeting decision within swarm parameters)
• Scalable engagement (swarm adapted engagement plan as simulated threats appeared/disappeared)
• C2 resilience (loss of single platform did not degrade swarm performance)

System Evolution

Block 3NK represents the third generation of Coyote (following Block 2K). Key improvements:

Significance

The demonstration addressed key market criticism:

1. Limited magazine depth: Earlier Coyote versions could engage single targets; Block 3NK supports multi-target engagements
2. Autonomy concern: Swarm demonstration showed credible autonomous threat classification (reduced reliance on operator for targeting)
3. Scale capability: 12-platform swarm addresses major-event defense (stadium, airfield, extensive perimeter)

Procurement Impact

RTX is using the demonstration to support bids for:

• U.S. military C-UAS contracts (Army, Marines)
• International C-UAS sales (UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea)
• Federal civilian procurement (DHS, FAA)

Expected awards: 2–4 major contracts announced H2 2026; total contract value likely €500M+ across all customers.

Sentrycs Latin American Expansion

Ondas Holdings announced that its Sentrycs C-UAS division will expand Latin American operations, establishing regional support centers in Colombia and Chile. The expansion includes:

• Product localization (Spanish/Portuguese support, regional compliance documentation)
• Defense partnerships (direct partnerships with Colombian and Chilean military procurement)
• Border security focus (emphasis on trafficking-drone detection in Andean region)
• Technical training (regional training academy for operator certification)

Strategic Rationale

1. Existing deployed base (Sentrycs already deployed in Latin American defense operations; expansion formalizes and scales existing presence)
2. Political opportunity (regional governments facing escalating drone-based trafficking; procurement window open)
3. European contract saturation (Sentrycs has secured major European airport contracts; revenue growth requires geographic diversification)

Market Implication

Latin American counter-drone market is nascent but rapidly expanding. Regional defense spending on C-UAS projected to grow 30%+ annually through 2030 (vs. 5–10% in mature European/North American markets).

Sentrycs' early regional establishment positions the company to capture first-mover advantage in a high-growth market segment.

FBI Expands Counter-UAS Training for Major Event Support

The FBI announced expansion of its counter-UAS operator training program, targeting 60 certified counter-UAS operators deployed before World Cup (June 2026). Training curriculum includes:

• RF detection and analysis (identification of drone C2 signals)
• Tactical engagement authorization (legal and rules-of-engagement training)
• Multi-agency coordination (integration with DHS, State Department, local law enforcement)
• Incident response (rogue drone mitigation, casualty management)

Significance

1. Federal government operator standardization (establishes federal baseline for C-UAS competency)
2. Civilian law enforcement capacity (first large-scale training of police and FBI personnel)
3. World Cup readiness validation (demonstrates federal commitment to event security)

Implication

Training success at World Cup will serve as precedent for similar training programs at other critical infrastructure sites (major airports, power plants, government facilities). Expect 200+ FBI-trained operators by end of 2026.

Host City Procurement Window Closing

Major World Cup host cities (Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, New York, others) are in final stages of procuring complementary C-UAS systems and security infrastructure ahead of June 2026 tournament.

Procurement Activity

• Los Angeles: Deploying additional RF detection layer (vendor: Dedrone or D-Fend) to complement Fortem kinetic platform
• Dallas/Fort Worth: Negotiating long-term C-UAS lease (post-World Cup transition to permanent deployment)
• Atlanta/Miami: Evaluating multi-sensor systems (EO/IR + acoustic) for distributed perimeter monitoring

Budget Allocation

Estimated €100M+ in aggregate across 12 host cities for: - C-UAS platform procurement/lease - Infrastructure modification (power, network, communications) - Training and operator support - Integration with city/state incident command

Competitive Opportunities

Secondary vendors (not selected by State Department for primary contract) are competing for complementary contracts. Expect:

• RF detection vendors (Dedrone, Sentrycs, D-Fend) to secure 3–5 host city secondary contracts
• Multi-sensor vendors (Hensoldt, Thales) to pursue infrastructure integration work
• System integrators to win significant C2 and orchestration contracts

Timeline: Most host-city contracts awarded by end of March 2026; deployment completion by May 31.

What We Are Watching

NATO C-UAS Interoperability Exercise (March 2026)

NATO will conduct the first multi-national C-UAS interoperability exercise, bringing together counter-drone systems from Germany (Skyranger), United Kingdom (Hensoldt), Netherlands (Skyranger), Poland (Sentrycs), and United States (Fortem, RTX Coyote). Exercise objectives:

• Validate data-link compatibility across systems
• Test multi-national targeting protocols
• Assess swarm/coordinated engagement feasibility
• Develop NATO standard operating procedures

Watch point: Interoperability friction will reveal which vendor architectures are NATO-ready and which require additional development work.

DJI U.S. Manufacturing Announcement Expected

Expect DJI to announce establishment of U.S. manufacturing facility (likely Texas or Arizona) to circumvent FCC Covered List restrictions. Announcement anticipated by March/April 2026.

Watch point: Manufacturing location, capacity, and timeline will signal DJI's intent to maintain U.S. market dominance despite regulatory restrictions.

Hensoldt C-UAS Major Contract Award (Q2)

German vendor Hensoldt is competing for a major European air-defense contract (likely Poland or Czech Republic). Contract award expected Q2 2026; value estimated €50–100M+.

Watch point: Hensoldt award would validate multi-sensor approach against Rheinmetall's kinetic-primary strategy.

U.S. Civilian C-UAS Procurement Acceleration

Following White House Task Force recommendations and World Cup operational experience, expect:

• FAA approval of C-UAS deployment at 10+ major U.S. airports
• DHS procurement of border-region C-UAS systems (US-Mexico and US-Canada borders)
• USDA/Interior deployment of counter-drone systems at critical natural resource sites

Watch point: Cumulative civilian procurement likely to exceed military procurement for first time in C-UAS market history, fundamentally shifting vendor prioritization.

Startup Exits and Consolidation

Multiple smaller C-UAS vendors (RF-domain specialists, acoustic-only companies) face consolidation pressure. Watch for:

• Acquisition announcements from larger vendors (Rheinmetall, RTX, Hensoldt, Thales) acquiring specialized technologies
• Partnership announcements forming multi-vendor consortia for large government bids
• Funding events (Series B/C rounds) indicating VC confidence in survivability vs. consolidation risk

Summary: The Inflection Point

February 2026 marks an inflection point in C-UAS market maturation. EU policy framework published, World Cup deployment underway, federal Task Force recommendations pending, and major procurement momentum building across government agencies.

The industry is transitioning from proof-of-concept and early adoption to scale deployment and standardization. Vendors that established early credibility (Fortem, Rheinmetall, RTX) are consolidating market position. Niche specialists (RF-domain, acoustic, laser) face consolidation pressure. New entrants face significant barriers to entry.

For procurement authorities, this is the critical window for establishing vendor relationships and procurement baselines before market consolidation accelerates. Delays in procurement decision-making will result in reduced vendor options and higher pricing as market power concentrates.

The next 12 months will define the C-UAS landscape for the next decade. Watch closely.

Related Reading

• EU Counter-Drone Action Plan
• Commercial C-UAS Market
• C-UAS Glossary