Imagine a digital one-stop shop that will allow Army units, government partners and allies to buy drone systems.

Well, there’s no need to imagine. It is reality.

Nicknamed “Amazon for the soldier,” the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Marketplace was launched this week at the AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exhibition in the Von Braun Center.

The new digital storefront is designed to get trusted, cutting-edge drone technology into the hands of soldiers faster than ever.

“It should be set up by the summer,” said Col. Jeffrey Bess. “The secret sauce is soldiers can browse the entire catalog.

“The good thing is we’re going to get a lot of different vendors.”

Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and the Army Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, the UAS Marketplace features tools that allow users to compare system functionalities, provide direct feedback and place orders with ease online.

“The UAS Marketplace is a prime example of how the Army is transforming its acquisition processes to be more agile, competitive and effective,” said Brent G. Ingraham, Army Acquisition executive. “By lowering barriers to entry and partnering with a wider range of industrial innovators, we are building a more resilient and responsive defense industrial base, which is essential for equipping our force and deterring our adversaries.”

The marketplace is more than a digital storefront. It marks a major shift from traditional, slower acquisition methods and is a key part of the Army’s goal to transform its procurement process.

“This really gives soldiers the access they need to capabilities that meet their needs way different than before, a fundamental pivot in how we execute acquisition for uncrewed aircraft systems,” said Col. Danielle Medaglia, project manager for UAS.

By creating a competitive and transparent environment, the platform is designed to foster innovation, broaden the industrial base and provide a wider range of drone capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the modern battlefield.

“The success of this marketplace directly demonstrates the power of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive construct to deliver tailored capability faster and more efficiently,” said Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, portfolio acquisition executive for Maneuver Air. “It represents a pivotal shift in our acquisition mindset and is a cornerstone of Army Aviation’s modernization strategy. This new agility allows us to equip our soldiers with the unmanned technologies they want and need to maintain overmatch on a complex battlefield.”

The marketplace began under consideration 18 months ago when the Army CIO was told it was an 18-month process, but “we got it done in five months,” Bess said.

The Army is also leveraging the marketplace to accelerate the deliveries to allies and foreign partners.

As it matures, this free-market approach to UAS procurement will strengthen international partnerships and streamline Foreign Military Sales processes by delivering mission-specific unmanned systems at the speed of relevance, the Army said.

Marketplace quick facts:

Accelerated capability delivery: Rapid drone, payload, software, and services procurement from vetted vendors. Contracts can be awarded directly to vendors in days.
Real-time feedback: Access to direct user feedback with support from a team of subject-matter experts.
Empowered soldiers: Mission-specific capability selection from a digital storefront.
Strong industrial base: Competitive free-market approach, responsive to soldier needs.
Disciplined approach: Trusted storefront compliant with National Defense Authorization Act, Department of War Drone Dominance Initiative, and Army Acquisition Reform.
Secure access: Government-credentialed access, cybersecure platform, and vetted vendors.

“The UAS Marketplace is a transformative approach to acquisition,” Medaglia said. “By fostering competition and innovation, we are ensuring that soldiers have access to the most advanced technologies to meet their mission requirements.

“This strategy is about delivering capability at scale and at speed.”