# JIATF 401 Prepares Yuma Counter-Drone Awards

JIATF 401 brought federal agencies and industry together at Yuma Proving Ground from August 31 to September 25, 2026, for Falcon Peak 26.2, evaluating counter-drone sensors, kinetic interceptors, and ballistic defeat systems in desert conditions. The task force is using an agentic-AI-enabled “tech arsenal” to compare tested products against common DoD performance standards and says it intends to purchase equipment based on the exercise results, with acquisition decisions expected in days. Award values, solicitation numbers, and selected vendors have not been disclosed.

- Participating companies should be ready to respond to the expected vendor feedback and near-term acquisition decisions; the signals do not identify a proposal deadline or a formal solicitation.
- Performance evidence from the exercise may inform selection: contractors should emphasize interoperability, layered defenses, effectiveness against varied drone types, and operation in heat, dust, and wind.
- The use of AI to compare products against common DoD standards makes clear, standards-aligned test data relevant to companies seeking to demonstrate system performance.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Public Safety
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

### Vendors
- Teledyne FLIR (Demonstrator of the Cerberus counter-drone radar)
- Allen Control Systems (Demonstrator of the Bullfrog kinetic interceptor)
- Harmattan AI (Demonstrator of the GOBI hit-to-kill interceptor)
- Genesis Arms (Demonstrator of the GEN-12 shotgun for ballistic drone takedowns)

### Sources
- [Battling sand and wind, Pentagon evaluates counter-drone tech at southern border exercise - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/battling-sand-and-wind-pentagon-evaluates-counter-drone-tech-at-southern-border-exercise) - Breaking Defense
- [How AI agents are informing JIATF-401’s procurement plans after Falcon Peak | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/10/01/ai-agents-jiatf-401-procurement-plans-falcon-peak) - DefenseScoop