MatrixSpace Wins Army Award for Portable AI Counter UAS Tech

MatrixSpace has come out on top in the active sensor category of the US Army xTechCounter Strike competition, as SSB Crack reports. This win highlights the company’s push to build portable and smart counter UAS tools that soldiers can use in the field with ease.

The focus of the win is the company’s Expeditionary AI Radar and its 360 AI Radar. Both systems are small, light, and low power. They run on the company’s AiEdge software, which gives troops better real time awareness when drones are nearby. These radar units are made for quick setup in places where larger systems would be too slow or too heavy.

A key part of the system is its close connection with the Army FAAD C2 network. This is the command and control system the Army uses to join sensors with air defense units. Plugging these radars into FAAD C2 gives soldiers faster alerts and more complete data. The systems also use the NATO SAPIENT protocol so units can track and classify drone threats even in hard weather and rough terrain.

Matthew Kling, Vice President and General Manager of AI Systems at MatrixSpace, said the event proved their goal of giving troops reliable tools that work at the edge of the battlefield.

Part of a Larger Army Push Called Operation Flytrap

The xTechCounter Strike program sits under the Army Operation Flytrap effort. The goal is to speed up the creation of counter UAS tools with real testing by soldiers, faster acquisition steps, and smoother transitions into service.

In this round, four companies won 350,000 dollars each. They also earned a place in the G TEAD Marketplace. That marketplace helps US and NATO units buy tools faster without long delays.

Along with MatrixSpace, the Armaments Research Company was selected for its passive drone detection system. It uses sensor telemetry to spot drones without sending any signals out. AG3 Labs was recognized for its threat simulated UAS that act like enemy drones so units can train with realistic targets. Mountain Horse Solutions also received recognition for new passive detection tools.

A Look at the Expanding Field of Counter Drone Tech

The companies honored in this program show how wide the counter UAS field has become. Some focus on active sensing and smart AI classification. Others pursue electronic disruption or use many sensors at once to widen coverage. This mix of ideas supports the Army goal of building faster, more connected, and more effective battlefield tools. As drone threats grow, the need for solutions that are portable and easy to deploy is rising as well.

DroneXL’s Take

MatrixSpace has become one of the quiet leaders in small radar systems, and this win confirms that the Army sees value in compact sensors that can move with troops. The shift toward smaller tools with smart tracking is real now. The Army is investing in tech that works in the field without heavy gear or long setup times, so this competition also shows how wide the drone defense market is now, with both active radar and passive systems moving forward at the same speed.

Photo credit: Matrixspace