Best Drone Team Competition

Get in front of the right audience.

The 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) Best Drone Team Competition puts your system in front of the Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) teams who would use it, plus the program offices and investors around them. You demonstrate on the range and get the teams' Government-approved feedback after the event.

August 26 to 28, 2026Clarke Range, Fort McClellan, AL

Applications closed July 13, 2026.

Special Forces operator launching a drone in the field

Special Forces operator launching a drone

Who's in the room

Who you get in front of.

The real value is the room. You reach the special operations teams who would carry your system, plus the investors and program offices around them.

SOF Ventures and the Private Capital Investor Cohort (PCIC)

The investors backing companies building in the national interest, on site with you.

Program offices invited to observe

Defense Autonomous Working Group (DAWG)

Purpose Built Attritable System (PBAS)

Drone Dominance

Program Executive Office, SOF Warrior (PEO SOF Warrior)

Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI)

Offices listed are invited. Participation does not imply Government endorsement.

Drone pilot operating an FPV drone with goggles and controller

Who applied

Field-ready companies, across the capability spectrum.

The event drew small and large businesses, nontraditional government contractors, startups, and academic and research institutions. The capability areas below show what the teams want to see.

Group 2 and below UASCounter-UASMulti-domain roboticsAutonomy and mission softwareNavigation in GPS-degraded environmentsContested communications and tactical radiosLogistics and sustainment

Event details

What to know about the competition.

Schedule

Sun · Aug 23

Travel and in-processing

Military

Mon · Aug 24

Competition lanes

Military

Tue · Aug 25

Competition lanes

Military

Wed · Aug 26

Vendor arrival, setup, and demonstration

Vendors

Thu · Aug 27

Vendor flights and feedback

Vendors

Fri · Aug 28

Open range

Sat · Aug 29

After-action and awards

Military

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Venue

Clarke Range, Fort McClellan, AL.

Who could apply

Companies eligible to do business with the U.S. Government, at Technology Readiness Level 5 or higher, and NDAA Section 848 compliant.

Applications

Closed for 2026.

Base access

Companies selected to participate receive base-access instructions and further details after selection.

Vendor packages

Choose your place on the range.

Four packages, from a static display to the premium pad with full range access. Slots are limited in each, there is no fee to apply, and you only pay once you are approved.

Flagship

Alpha

The premium pad with the largest footprint and live feed.

$50,000

One-time · 3 slots

Footprint20 × 30 ft premium pad

Flight and demoThursday flight block and Friday open range.

VisibilityVendor page logo, pad signage, and a live-feed lower-third

AccessIndustry Night invitation and access to the sponsored nightly dinner (Monday to Thursday) with competitors, evaluators, and distinguished visitors in attendance. Up to 4 representatives.

Bravo

Full demo footprint with the open-range window.

$20,000

One-time · 5 slots

Footprint12 × 12 ft pad

Flight and demoThursday flight block and Friday open range.

VisibilityVendor page logo and pad signage

AccessAccess to the sponsored nightly dinner (Monday to Thursday) with competitors, evaluators, and distinguished visitors in attendance. Up to 2 representatives.

Charlie

Get on the range with a Thursday flight block.

$10,000

One-time · 10 slots

Footprint12 × 12 ft pad

Flight and demoThursday flight block.

VisibilityVendor page logo and pad signage

AccessAccess to the sponsored nightly dinner (Monday to Thursday) with competitors, evaluators, and distinguished visitors in attendance. Up to 2 representatives.

Delta

Static display on Vendor Day.

$5,000

One-time · 12 slots

Footprint12 × 12 ft static display

Flight and demoStatic display on Wednesday. No flight.

VisibilityVendor page listing

AccessAccess to the sponsored nightly dinner (Monday to Thursday) with competitors, evaluators, and distinguished visitors in attendance. Up to 2 representatives.

Packages cover participation and logistics. They do not influence selection, scoring, or evaluation, which are gated by mission criteria and Government approval.

Common questions

Questions vendors ask.

Will I be participating in the competition?

No. The competition is between the special operations teams, and your equipment is not the equipment used in it. Vendors applied to be at the event to put their equipment in front of the people who would use and fund it.

Who could apply?

Companies that can do business with the U.S. Government, at Technology Readiness Level 5 or higher and NDAA Section 848 compliant.

When can vendors take part?

Approved industry participants are on site August 26 to 28, 2026. The wider competition runs across late August, and the other days are reserved for military activities.

Are applications still open?

No. Applications for the 2026 competition closed on July 13, 2026. We're reviewing submissions and following up with each company.

What does participation cost?

There is no fee to apply, and you are charged the package fee only after your participation is approved. In furtherance of our mission, Watchtower offers company-level scholarships which abate its package fees for outstanding companies who need a leg up. You cover your own travel, lodging, equipment, and shipping.

How are participants selected?

Watchtower reviews every application against the approved criteria and presents qualified companies to the Government. Final approval rests with the Government, based on mission fit, safety, and security. Screening is neutral and confers no procurement preference or endorsement.

How does base access work?

Companies selected to participate receive base-access instructions and further details after selection. Access to the installation is separately credentialed and security-gated.

Is this a procurement or a sales event?

Neither. It is a field event held under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. Participation does not imply endorsement, source selection, or any future acquisition commitment by the Government.

Who do we contact?

Reach the Watchtower team at drone@watchtowerus.org

Get in front of the right audience.

Demonstrated in the field.

Who you get in front of.

Put your system in front of the teams.

Field-ready companies, across the capability spectrum.

What to know about the competition.

Choose your place on the range.

Need to get your foot in the door?

Questions vendors ask.

Applications are closed for 2026.

Support the competition.