By Eleanor Kent, Army FUZE  

WASHINGTON ‒ The Army FUZE xTech Program has launched xTech|Adaptive Strike, a new prize competition offering up to $1.5 million in total cash prizes to accelerate salable, ready-to-deploy technologies that strengthen unit-level effectiveness in contested environments.  

Developed in partnership with the Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP) and the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), xTech|Adaptive Strike marks xTech’s first competition executed alongside JIOP and reflects continued momentum under the Army’s Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT). Through this collaboration, Army FUZE and its partners are advancing a more synchronized innovation ecosystem ‒ connecting operational problem statements directly to non-traditional innovators and accelerating pathways from concept to Soldier evaluation.  

Through xTech|Adaptive Strike, the Army is calling on small and non-traditional entities and technology developers to deliver adaptable, field-ready solutions that can be evaluated by Soldiers and integrated into operational formations. 

Competition Overview 

Modern operations require resilient communications, advanced sensing, scalable unmanned systems, sustainable power, and effective counter-UAS capabilities at the unit level. xTech|Adaptive Strike focuses on four priority capability areas: 

Extended On-Station Time and Range for Medium/Long-Range Reconnaissance (MMR/LRR)
Systems that increase sensing range and persistence to support reconnaissance and targeting in diverse operational environments.   

Affordable Drones and Loitering Munitions for Scaled Operations
Cost-effective unmanned systems that can be produced and fielded at scale to support distributed operations and operational flexibility. 

Power Generation for Ground Units with Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
Portable, scalable power solutions that sustain drone operations and enable extended command post functionality in austere conditions.  

Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) for Soldier Operations 
Soldier-portable, edge-deployable, c-UAS technologies that detect and mitigate unmanned aerial threats while supporting rapid deployment and ease of use.  

xTech|Adaptive Strike features a three-part format that moves from concept submission to two live, Army-led Soldier exercises where participants will compete for cash prizes, engage with Department of War (DOW) experts, and refine their solutions to meet Army demand signals. 

Part One: Concept White Paper  

• Submission window: February 23 – March 13, 2026 
• Eligible vendors must submit a five-page concept white paper and pre-recorded video up to 10 minutes that demonstrates their technology and its suitability for participation in a live Soldier exercise event. 
• Up to 20 applicants will receive $25,000 each and an invitation to Part Two, a live Soldier exercise event at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California. 

Part Two: Soldier Exercise Event  

• Semifinalists will participate in a live Soldier exercise in June of 2026, showcasing their solutions to a panel of Army and DOW experts. 
• Up to 10 finalists will receive a cash prize of up to $50,000 each and an invitation to the finals event, a second live Soldier exercise event at the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California. 

Part Three: Finals Soldier Exercise Event  

• Finalists will participate in a live Soldier exercise in October of 2026, showcasing their solutions to a panel of Army and DOW experts. 
• Up to five winners will receive a cash prize of up to $100,000. 
• The government may award follow-on contracts to one or more competition winners, determined based on funding availability. 

Eligibility Requirements  

xTech|Adaptive Strike is open to nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including large and small businesses, in both domestic and foreign territories. Vendors must obtain a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code to process payments and must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the U.S. 

Vendors must not be U.S. federal government entities, foreign government entities, or employ a U.S. federal employee acting within the scope of their employment. Additionally, vendors must not currently be under contract, agreement, or providing similar capabilities to the government for related work. 

About the Army FUZE xTech Program 

The Army FUZE xTech Program is the Army’s premier tool for scouting and accelerating dual-use technologies that directly enhance Soldier readiness and mission success. Through dynamic prize competitions like xTechSearch, xTech identifies breakthrough solutions and opens doors for nontraditional companies to engage with and deliver capabilities to the Army. Since its launch in 2018, xTech has awarded over $30 million in non-dilutive cash prizes across 48 competitions – fueling innovation pipelines and delivering transformative technologies that matter on the battlefield. 

Learn more at the Army PIT website: https://pit.army.mil/pathway/xtech/  

About Army FUZE  

Army FUZE is the Army’s integrated innovation ecosystem. It brings together four flagship innovation programs – xTech, Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, and the Technology Maturation Initiative – under a coordinated and synchronized framework to accelerate advanced capabilities, strengthen the industrial base, and deliver readiness at the speed of relevance. FUZE operates with a venture capitalist mindset, scouting broadly, taking calculated risks, and scaling the most promising technologies. This approach ensures taxpayer dollars are directed toward solutions with both Army operational relevance and commercial viability, while creating clearer pathways and reduced barriers for industry participation. 

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