Four companies chosen for COTS, dual-use air-launched system
An artist’s impression of Zone 5 Technologies bid for ETV. (Image: Zone 5 Technologies)
An enterprise test vehicle (ETV) will use dual-use and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to develop an air-launched multi-purpose system with an emphasis on modularity.
Four companies have been selected by the US Air Force Armament Directorate (AFLCMC/EB) and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop prototype solutions for an ETV, an air-launched weapon or sensor.
The effort will attempt to identify and prototype commercial and dual-use technology solutions for an ETV that demonstrates modularity for subsystem upgrade testing. The technology will also serve as a foundation for affordable high-rate production.
On 4 June, the DIU said: “Initial flight demonstrations will occur within seven months from the agreement award dates, after which one or multiple of the most promising prototypes will continue development towards a production variant capable of rapidly scalable manufacture.”
Cassie Johnson, the armament directorate’s ETV programme manager, said COTS products would provide benefits in development efforts.
“We have become convinced that widening the aperture to include more non-traditional aerospace companies offers the best chance at accomplishing our cost-per-unit goals, project timeline and production quantity goals,” Johnson said.
The companies selected to develop prototype solutions for flight demonstration were Anduril Industries, Integrated Solutions for Systems, Leidos Dynetics and Zone 5 Technologies to develop prototype solutions for flight demonstration in the second half of 2024. The companies were chosen from more than 100 commercial and dual-use technology company applicants.
Additional ETV government project collaborators and evaluators include Air Force Research Laboratory, Special Operations Command, Naval Air Systems Command and US Indo-Pacific Command.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Only 25% of the US Pentagon’s F-35 fleet has been fully mission capable, GAO says]()
Only 25% of the US Pentagon’s F-35 fleet has been fully mission capable, GAO says
The fighter jet remains a combat necessity, but sustainment challenges continue to limit its readiness. In the meantime, the US Air Force seeks billions in funding to improve the F-35's availability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
