# Pentagon Partners with USNDA to Lead Drone Competitions

The Pentagon has engaged the U.S. National Drone Association (USNDA) to organize and lead its Top Drone competitions, aimed at identifying and developing elite remote drone pilots under simulated battlefield conditions. The initiative supports the Department of Defense's efforts to advance small drone adoption across all military branches, with the first national championship scheduled for early fiscal year 2027 and an international event planned in Germany in November 2026. This partnership represents a strategic move to enhance operator skills, share tactics, and accelerate drone integration into military operations.

- The contract for the Top Drone National Drone Wars Championship and related competitions is set for award in Fiscal Year 2027 Q1, providing opportunities for vendors specializing in drone technology and training.
- Procurement professionals should note the multi-service scope involving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, indicating broad demand for drone-related capabilities and services.
- Companies offering drone hardware, software, simulation, and operator training solutions can leverage this initiative to align with DoD priorities and position themselves for future contracts.
- The international competition in Germany highlights potential for cross-national collaboration and technology exchange, which may influence future procurement requirements and standards.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Marine Corps

### Vendors
- U.S. National Drone Association (prime contractor/organizer)

### Key Quotes
> Achieving American drone dominance is about more than scaling lethal capabilities. It’s also about developing the world-class operators who will execute the mission.
> — Emil Michael, Chief Technology Officer, Pentagon

### Sources
- [Pentagon taps USNDA to head its ‘Top Drone’ competitions | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/09/16/pentagon-taps-usnda-to-head-its-top-drone-competitions) - DefenseScoop