# Army Expands Weapons and Autonomy Programs

The Army is advancing several weapons and autonomous-systems efforts: RTX received a **$729 million** award for KuRFS sensors and Coyote interceptors for the Army, Qatar, and Jordan, while the Army is also pursuing mobile howitzer and small-drone buys. The Army’s FY2027 PrSM Increment 4 competition offers a forward opportunity for prototype participants, and MQ-25A software, autonomous aircraft, and counter-mine testing point to continuing demand for integration and test work. The AMTEC test range in Morocco is nearing capacity over the next 12 months, making test access a practical planning consideration for contractors pursuing these programs.

- Companies competing for PrSM Increment 4 should assess prototype participation and integration opportunities with the Army for FY2027.
- RTX’s award and the mobile howitzer and drone procurements signal near-term demand for counter-UAS, interceptor, artillery, and small uncrewed-system capabilities; contractors can evaluate production and supporting integration work.
- The MQ-25A and autonomous-aircraft tests create potential work in software integration and platform testing. The AMTEC range’s projected capacity constraints make early planning for test access relevant to firms relying on that facility.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Navy (Navy)
- U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF)
- Taiwan Coast Guard Administration

### Vendors
- RTX (Raytheon) (Awardee for KuRFS sensors and Coyote interceptors)
- Hanwha Defense USA (Awardee for Mobile Tactical Cannon prototypes)
- Lockheed Martin (PrSM Inc. 4 prototype participant)
- Anduril Industries (PrSM Inc. 4 prototype participant)
- Shield AI (Awardee and supplier of V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems)

### Key Quotes
> Having this software embedded into the MQ-25A, we enable autonomous coordination with manned platforms — improving tanker responsiveness, reducing logistical friction, and multiplying the carrier strike group’s operational tempo.
> — Mark Dunn, MQ-25 Avionics Integrated Product Team Lead at Boeing

### Sources
- [Defense Watch: RTX C-UAS Award, MQ-25 Software Test, PrSM Inc. 4, Taiwan V-BAT, Autonomous Black Hawk - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/defense-watch-rtx-c-uas-award-mq-25-software-test-prsm-inc-4-taiwan-v-bat-autonomous-black-hawk/defense-watch) - Defense Daily