By Eleanor Kent, Army FUZE  

WASHINGTON ‒ The U.S. Army is taking a new approach to one of the central challenges facing modern air and missile defense: increasing interceptor capacity while reducing the cost of defeating complex and numerous threats. To help meet this challenge, the Army FUZE xTech Program, in partnership with Capability Program Executive (CPE) Defensive Fires, has launched xTech|Apex Intercept, a new prize competition focused on accelerating the development of low-cost interceptor technologies. 

The competition follows recent Army efforts to engage industry in identifying more scalable and affordable approaches to interceptor development and production. This past month, during the Army’s Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI) Industry Day, Secretary of the Army, Hon. Daniel Driscoll outlined the need to expand participation beyond traditional defense contractors and accelerate delivery of LCI capabilities through greater collaboration with industry. The event highlighted the Army’s interest in solutions ranging from complete interceptor systems to the components, subsystems, and manufacturing approaches needed to produce them at scale.  

To support these objectives, xTech|Apex Intercept is seeking innovative technologies across multiple areas critical to future interceptor capabilities including low-cost fire control, motors, seekers, and flight guidance. With up to $8 million in cash prizes available—the largest prize pool in xTech program history—xTech|Apex Intercept represents a significant opportunity for innovators to demonstrate promising technologies and engage directly with the Army and Department of War (DoW). The competition will award up to 30 finalists a total of $750,000 in cash prizes, with up to 18 final winners competing for the remaining $7.25 million in cash prizes across the competitions four problem statements.  

Competition Overview 

The xTech|Apex Intercept competition seeks white paper submissions from eligible small, medium, and large businesses proposing sustainment solutions in one of the four capability areas: 

• Topic 1: Low-Cost Interceptor AUR and Fire Control 
• Topic 2: Low-Cost Solid Rocket Motor 
• Topic 3: Low-Cost Seeker 
• Topic 4: Fire Control and Flight Guidance Implementation   

Detailed descriptions for each topic area are available in Appendix A of the competition RFI. 

Competition Structure 

The xTech|Apex Intercept competition consists of two parts: 

Part One: Concept White Paper 

• Submission window: July 7 –24, 2026 
• Eligible vendors must submit a concept white paper up to five pages and optional pre-recorded five-minute video outlining their technology, its viability, and its suitability for participation in a live demonstration event 
• The Army will invite up to 30 finalists to Part Two, the live demonstration event in the October-November 2026 timeframe and will award each finalist selected $25,000.

Part Two: Live Demonstration Finals Event 

• Finalists will demonstrate their solutions to a panel of Army and DoW experts  
• Up to 18 final winners will compete for the remaining $7.25 million across the four problem statements 

Eligibility 

Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations (i.e., large and small businesses) both domestic and foreign.  

• Must be able to obtain a CAGE code (U.S. businesses) or NCAGE code (international businesses) to process payments and receive follow-on awards;  
• Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in the U.S. or an allied foreign country; 
• Shall not be a U.S. Federal Government entity, foreign government entity or employ a U.S. Federal Employee acting within the scope of their employment; 
• Shall not be currently under contract, agreement or other providing similar capabilities to the Government for work described in the problem statement;  
• Must not be based in a Foreign Country of Concern (FCOC), directly funded by an FCOC government or government-subsidized guidance fund, or under the influence of an FCOC government in any form; and 
• Shall be at the sole discretion of the U.S. Government.

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 xTech|Search, 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 50+ 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 engine driving innovation within the Army’s integrated innovation ecosystem, strategically aligned under the Army’s Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT). By uniting key programs such as xTech, Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, and the Technology Maturation Initiative within a synchronized framework, FUZE accelerates advanced capabilities, strengthens the industrial base, and delivers readiness at the speed of relevance. Operating with a venture capitalist mindset, FUZE scouts broadly, takes calculated risks, and scales the most promising technologies, ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed toward solutions with both Army operational relevance and commercial viability. Through its alignment with PIT, FUZE underscores the Army’s commitment to fostering innovation, streamlining technology transitions, and bridging the gap between emerging technologies and critical operational needs to maintain military overmatch. 

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