Trust Automation Wins $490M USAF Contract for Counter-Drone Systems

This article is based on official contracts announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense and Trust Automation, Inc.

Trust Automation Secures $490 Million USAF Contract for Counter-Drone Systems

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Trust Automation, Inc., a woman-owned small business based in San Luis Obispo, California, a significant $490 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. According to the Department of Defense announcement, the agreement focuses on the rapid research, development, and production of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), specifically designed to neutralize small to medium-sized drones threats.

The sole-source contract, issued by the Air-Forces Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, New York, extends through August 20, 2030. It positions Trust Automation as a central partner in the military’s effort to defend bases and deployed personnel against the proliferation of Group 1 and Group 2 drones. As noted in the award details, approximately $20.3 million has been obligated immediately for the initial task order.

Contract Scope and Technical Specifications

The agreement tasks Trust Automation with the prototyping, demonstration, and transition of advanced C-UAS capabilities. According to company product information and contract specifications, the work centers on two primary technologies: the Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (SUADS) and the GAT UAS Jammer.

Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (SUADS)

Trust Automation describes SUADS as a layered, modular defense architecture. It is configurable for both fixed-site defense, such as protecting airfields, and rapid deployment in mobile combat units. The system targets Group 1 (hand-launched, under 20 lbs) and Group 2 (21–55 lbs) unmanned aerial systems.

Technical data indicates the system likely employs Radio Frequency (RF) detection and electronic warfare jamming to sever the connection between a drone and its operator. The design is described as “government collaborated,” suggesting it was developed in close partnership with Air Force laboratories to ensure seamless integration into existing command-and-control networks.

GAT (Ghoul-Tool Attachable Transmitter) Jammer

The contract also encompasses the GAT UAS Jammer, a tactical electronic warfare device designed for individual soldiers. According to technical specifications, the device is compact (6″ x 3.2″), weighs less than one pound, and mounts to standard NATO accessory rails on a rifle.

The GAT system provides immediate “point defense” capabilities by jamming command and control signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands. Additionally, it disrupts Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, forcing hostile drones to hover, land, or return to their launch point. The system is powered by standard CR123 batteries and is effective beyond the operator’s line of sight.

AirPro News Analysis

The Strategic Value of Sole-Source Acquisition
The designation of this award as a “sole source” contract is significant. In federal procurement, this typically indicates that the vendor possesses unique proprietary technology or is scaling a solution previously validated under programs like Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. By bypassing a lengthy open bidding process, the Air Force signals an urgent need to field these specific capabilities immediately.

Addressing the Asymmetric Threat
This contract directly addresses the “base defense gap” highlighted by recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Cheap commercial drones, costing as little as $500, have proven capable of destroying multi-million dollar assets. The Air Force’s investment in Trust Automation’s electronic warfare solutions, rather than purely kinetic interceptors, reflects a shift toward cost-effective, low-collateral countermeasures suitable for populated areas or forward operating bases.

Market Positioning
While the C-UAS market includes major competitors like Anduril Industries and RTX (Raytheon), Trust Automation has carved out a specific niche in RF-based neutralization. Unlike kinetic systems that physically destroy drones and create debris hazards, the electronic warfare approach offered by SUADS and GAT allows for “silent” neutralization, a critical capability for defending sensitive infrastructure.

Sources

Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, Trust Automation, Inc., Defence Industry Europe