US Army Awards $98.9M Contract to TurbineOne for AI Drone Detection

The U.S. Army has awarded TurbineOne, a defense technology startup, a $98.9 million contract to develop and deploy advanced AI-powered drone detection systems across military installations. The five-year agreement represents one of the largest defense contracts awarded to an AI-focused startup this year.

TurbineOne's system uses machine learning algorithms to identify and classify aerial threats in real-time, distinguishing between commercial drones, military UAVs, and other aircraft. The technology can detect objects as small as consumer quadcopters at distances exceeding five kilometers, providing critical early warning capabilities.

The contract includes deployment at 15 major military bases across the continental United States, with potential expansion to overseas installations. Each system integrates with existing base defense networks, providing commanders with automated threat assessment and recommended response protocols.

Founded in 2019 by former Pentagon officials and Silicon Valley engineers, TurbineOne has raised $45 million in venture funding from defense-focused investors. The company's technology has been tested extensively at military proving grounds, demonstrating 99.7% accuracy in threat identification during controlled trials.

The award comes as military leaders increasingly recognize the threat posed by small, commercially available drones that can be weaponized or used for surveillance. Traditional radar systems often struggle to detect these smaller aircraft, creating vulnerabilities that AI-powered solutions are designed to address.

Industry experts view the contract as validation of the military's commitment to AI-driven defense solutions and expect similar awards to follow as the Pentagon modernizes its threat detection capabilities. TurbineOne plans to use the funding to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development.