U.S. Army Launches Spectrum Warfare Innovation Challenge in Europe

By Sarah Hepburn, Office of Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT)

WASHINGTON ‒The U.S. Army is calling on non-traditional innovators to submit mature spectrum warfare capabilities for the latest Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Accelerated Capability Event: G-TEAD USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02 Spectrum Enabled Warfare powered by xTech. Executed in partnership with U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), Army FUZE xTech, and the Army FUZE Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR|STTR) program, this effort seeks Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ technologies to maintain electromagnetic and cyber dominance across contested operational environments.

The initiative offers participating vendors up to $1.5 million in non-dilutive cash prizes and access to rapid acquisition pathways valued at up to $16 million.

In-Theater Proving Ground: Soldier Demonstrations in Germany At the core of USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02 powered by xTech is a Soldier-led demonstration in Grafenwöhr, Germany in March 2027—a rare, game-changing opportunity for dual-use innovators. Unlike standard pitch events, this initiative puts vendors directly into theater alongside Soldiers. Up to 15 selected finalists won’t just pitch their technology; they will train Soldiers on their systems, watch the unit execute live operational scenarios, and get immediate, unvarnished feedback directly from the operators on the ground.

This direct access gives innovators an unprecedented chance to:

• Observe Soldier-Led Demonstration: Watch Soldiers operate your equipment in congested, contested radio frequency environments to validate system intuitiveness, durability, and tactical utility.
• Gain High-Value Operator Feedback: Receive direct, actionable user insights to rapidly refine and optimize your solution for potential Army adoption.
• Accelerate Contract Transition: Use field-validated performance and Soldier buy-in as a launchpad toward follow-on Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and rapid integration into fielded Army acquisition portfolios.

Prize Structure and Follow-On Funding Pathways Designed to incentivize performance at every stage, the ACE offers immediate non-dilutive cash prizes alongside rapid procurement pathways to transition field-proven technology into official PAE portfolios:

• Part 1 (Concept White Paper): Up to 15 selected finalists are invited to attend the Soldier Demonstration in Germany. Vendors will receive $25,000 each upon arrival to the event.
• Part 2 (Soldier Demonstration): Finalists who successfully participate and integrate their technology receive an additional $25,000 each.
• Final Awards: Up to five winners receive an additional $150,000 cash prize each.
• Follow-On Contracts: Winners will be considered for Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) from a total funding pool of up to $6 million. Qualifying small businesses among the winners addressing capabilities 1–3 may also be invited to submit a Direct to Phase II SBIR proposal, accessing an additional funding pool of up to $10 million.

White paper and five-minute video submissions open October 14, 2026, and close October 30, 2026. Eligible domestic and international small and large entities proposing mature solutions across tactical surveillance, autonomous network management, spectrum visualization, or active countermeasures can review the complete eligibility rules and official RFI details to apply.

About G-TEAD The Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT)’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) is the force’s premier acquisition hub, designed to close the gap between evolving threats and the speed of delivering critical solutions. G-TEAD’s mission is to rapidly transform urgent commanders’ needs into combat-ready, interoperable systems, ensuring Soldiers sustain battlefield dominance in any environment. Through synchronized acquisition efforts and allied collaboration, G-TEAD accelerates the delivery of minimum viable products (MVPs) to theater. To ensure Soldiers are equipped to win whenever and wherever the fight arises, G-TEAD Accelerated Capability Events (ACEs) leverage defense prize authorities, such as Army FUZE xTech, to scout mature solutions aligned with ASCC priorities, demonstrate them in theater, and inform transition into PAE portfolios.

About Army FUZE xTech Army FUZE xTech 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 SBIR|STTR The Army FUZE SBIR|STTR Program invests in U.S. based small businesses and research institutions to develop early-stage technologies that can meet Army operational needs. The program offers non-dilutive funding\, protects intellectual property and enables flexible transition pathways\, making it easier for small innovators to deliver real-world solutions for soldiers. SBIR|STTR serves as a core component of Army FUZE\, the Army’s integrated transformation ecosystem that connects private-sector innovation with defense priorities. The program turns emerging technologies into dual-use capabilities\, drives economic growth\, and delivers battlefield advantages. Learn more at the Army PIT website: https://pit.army.mil/pathway/sbir-sttr/

About Army PIT The Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology accelerates Army modernization through dual-use innovation, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven outcomes. As a critical enabler of Army acquisition reform, PIT injects capability faster by getting in the dirt with the Soldier, performing prototyping at the edge and delivering operational impact at the speed of relevance. The PIT serves as a critical hub that integrates the efforts of three essential organizations within the Army innovation enterprise. Army FUZE, the Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP), and the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) serve as the operational backbone of the PIT, underpinned by a unified vision to see, share, synchronize, and scale.

Stay Updated Stay connected with Army PIT on https://www.linkedin.com/company/armypit/, https://x.com/USARMYPIT, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6AGXfruv1qaqB6WcYxyYpQ for the latest updates and insights. Have questions? Reach out to us here.

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