US Army launches online marketplace to revolutionize drone acquisition

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - The U.S. Army launched the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Marketplace on March 24 - a new digital storefront designed to get trusted, cutting-edge drone technology into the hands of Soldiers faster than ever before. This digital one-stop shop will allow Army units, government partners and allied nations to efficiently procure vetted UAS solutions.

Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and the Army Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, the digital storefront features tools that allow users to compare system functionalities, provide direct feedback and place orders with ease.

"The UAS Marketplace is a prime example of how the Army is transforming its acquisition processes to be more agile, competitive and effective," said the Honorable Brent G. Ingraham, the Army Acquisition Executive. "By lowering barriers to entry and partnering with a wider range of industrial innovators, we are building a more resilient and responsive defense industrial base, which is essential for equipping our force and deterring our adversaries."

The marketplace is more than a digital storefront. It marks a major shift from traditional, slower acquisition methods and is a key part of the Army's goal to transform its procurement process. By creating a competitive and transparent environment, the platform will foster innovation, broaden the industrial base and provide a wider range of drone capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the modern battlefield.

"The success of this marketplace directly demonstrates the power of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive construct to deliver tailored capability faster and more efficiently," said Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air. "It represents a pivotal shift in our acquisition mindset and is a cornerstone of Army Aviation's modernization strategy. This new agility allows us to equip our Soldiers with the unmanned technologies they want and need to maintain overmatch on a complex battlefield."

"The UAS Marketplace is a direct response to the evolving needs of our Soldiers on the ground," said Mr. Rodney Davis, the Capabilities Program Executive for Aviation. "By creating a dynamic and competitive environment, we are not just buying drones; we are delivering versatile and advanced aerial capabilities that will give our formations a decisive edge in multi-domain operations."

Project leaders emphasized that the marketplace is purpose-built to deliver capability faster than ever before, directly supporting Army modernization efforts and the strategic goal of achieving drone dominance.

"The UAS Marketplace is a transformative approach to acquisition," said Col. Danielle Medaglia, the Army's Project Manager for UAS. "By fostering competition and innovation, we are ensuring that Soldiers have access to the most advanced technologies to meet their mission requirements. This strategy is about delivering capability at scale and at speed."

The Army is also leveraging the UAS Marketplace to accelerate the delivery of innovative UAS solutions to Allies and foreign partners. As it matures, this free-market approach to UAS procurement will strengthen international partnerships and streamline Foreign Military Sales processes by delivering mission-specific unmanned systems at the speed of relevance.

The Army will display the UAS Marketplace in booth #711 at the 2026 Association of the United States Army Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, March 24-26.

The Army will also host a Marketplace Showcase on April 14, prior to the Army Aviation Association of America's Warfighting Summit. Visit Sam.gov for more information.