“We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range UAS platforms. This project has been directed by Congress to rethink how we get capabilities to military forces quickly and at scale, achieving results faster than conventional methods,” Emeneker noted.
The companies selected for the Artemis contracts include Swan, a U.S. software firm collaborating with a Ukrainian UAS manufacturer; Dragoon, a U.S.-based company; Aerovironment, also U.S.-based; and Auterion, another U.S. software firm partnered with a Ukrainian UAS firm.
Over just four months, DIU and the Department of Defense successfully crafted a problem statement, solicited proposals, evaluated 165 submissions, and conducted flight demonstrations for those selected, leading to contract negotiations.