Armaments Research Company (ARC), a leader in AI-enabled weapon-mounted sensing, announced that it has been named one of four winners of the U.S. Army’s xTech Counterstrike competition—an internationally scoped effort to identify and accelerate next-generation counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technologies. ARC won the “passive sensing” category, enabling soldiers to cue UAS defeat assets at the tactical edge without additional cognitive burden on the soldiers in contact.
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As a winner of the US Army xTech Counterstrike Competition, ARC received $350,000 in prize funding and secured placement on the G-TEAD Marketplace.
The multi-phase competition, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), began with more than 250 applicants. Following an initial down-select to 15 finalists and a $50,000 award, ARC advanced to the program’s Phase 2 live experimentation event in Germany—culminating in its selection as a top winner for 2025.
ARC’s winning entry—its AI-Enabled Weapon Sensor (AEWS)—was recognized for enabling passive C-UAS detection, autonomous cueing, and real-time, weapon-borne data collection that strengthens battlefield awareness at the tactical edge. By transforming every weapon into an intelligent sensor, AEWS gives small units the ability to identify, characterize, and respond to aerial threats with unprecedented speed and precision.
As part of this achievement, ARC received $350,000 in prize funding and secured placement on the G-TEAD Marketplace, a strategic contracting and acquisition vehicle that accelerates rapid procurement and fielding for units operating in globally distributed, contested, and denied environments.
“Adversary drones are reshaping the battlefield faster than traditional acquisition can adapt,” said ARC CEO Mike Canty. “ARC’s down-select in the G-TEAD program confirms AEWS as a foundational passive sensor for layered C-UAS defense and charts a clear path for U.S. and allied forces to field it at scale. It’s a pivotal step toward the resilient, networked air defense architecture our warfighters need as the threat continues to evolve—and we're honored to contribute to the solution.”
With this win, ARC continues its mission to equip warfighters with breakthrough sensing technology that enhances lethality, survivability, and decision advantage across the modern battlespace.
About ARC
Armaments Research Company is a defense technology company specializing in AI-enabled weapon sensors and data-driven battlefield analytics. ARC’s solutions integrate seamlessly into existing small-arms platforms to provide real-time visibility, improved training and sustainment, and enhanced operational effectiveness for military and security forces worldwide.
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With this win, ARC continues its mission to equip warfighters with breakthrough sensing technology that enhances lethality, survivability, and decision advantage across the modern battlespace.
