Army seeks industry support for 12 counter-drone capabilities in US-UK Flytrap drill
The Army plans to evaluate 12 capability areas, including command and control, radar, and directed energy, during a recurring counter-drone exercise with the United Kingdom. Flytrap 6.0 is scheduled for May 2027 and will involve about 1,000 soldiers operating across more than 50 square kilometers in a large-scale combat environment. The service issued a sources-sought notice asking companies to respond by Oct. 16, with two risk-reduction exercises planned in the European Command theater.
The Army's V Corps and UK forces will use Flytrap 6.0 to assess a dozen counter-drone capability areas. A sources-sought notice dated Sept. 22 lists command and control, radiofrequency detection, passive and active radar, acoustic threat detection, electro-optical/infrared, radiofrequency defeat, kinetic defeat, directed energy, deception technologies, counter-drone launched effects, and threat-representative targets.
The exercise is set for May 2027, with roughly 1,000 soldiers spread over more than 50 square kilometers in a large-scale combat setting. Companies have until Oct. 16 to respond. Two risk-reduction events in the EUCOM theater are planned for November and February.
If Flytrap 6.0 advances counter-drone systems, military units and civilian communities near bases may see changes in training activity, noise, or airspace use. Defense firms, especially smaller technology suppliers, could gain opportunities from the solicitation. Broader society may benefit if improved detection and defeat tools reduce risks from hostile drones, though deployment choices and costs could raise privacy, safety, and oversight questions.