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Unmanned Systems

DIU Launches $100 Million Low-Cost Aerial ISR Prize Challenge

By Cal Biesecker

Wednesday, September 30th, 2026

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DIU Launches $100 Million Low-Cost Aerial ISR Prize Challenge

Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky family of Nomad vertical takeoff and landing drones. Image: Lockheed Martin

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) this week initiated a $100 million prize challenge for mature, medium- and long-endurance aerial systems, unmanned or other platforms, that can operate from expeditionary environments to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions at a low lifecycle cost and achieve affordable mass. Flyoffs are planned during the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2027, according to the Sept. 29 solicitation. The $100 million covers the prize awards and an initial follow-on pool. DIU said…

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