Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox
Funds counter-UAS prototype developers competing for IDEaS Sandbox monetary prizes.
Eligibility · Global; foreign companies can apply
The Department of National Defence runs the 2026 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox through IDEaS Sandboxes. The opportunity gives selected innovators access to a CUAS test range and states CAD 1,750,000 in monetary prizes for promising technologies, subject to eligibility.
Applications are open to individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, industry of any size, and provincial, territorial, and municipal organizations; the page also states that foreign companies can apply. The source requires advanced prototypes at TRL 5 or higher. The application period is now closed, so this is a closed prize opportunity as of the June 24, 2026 verification date.
Counter-uncrewed aerial systems technologies for detecting or defeating micro and mini UAS, including sensors, command-and-control integration, hard-kill systems, directed energy, beyond-line-of-sight capability, and low-cost sensor networks.
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