The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) has awarded its first contract under the Replicator 2 initiative, procuring two of Fortem Technology’s DroneHunter F700 counter-UAS systems with delivery expected by April. The acquisition represents the initial deployment of the War Department’s accelerated strategy to field advanced counter-unmanned aerial systems across military installations and critical U.S. infrastructure.
The new acquisition addresses the growing operational challenge posed by small unmanned aerial systems in sensitive environments where precision effects control is essential. According to Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, JIATF 401 director, “We have just one measure of effectiveness: to deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS capabilities to our warfighters both at home and abroad. This purchase of the DroneHunter system is a key first step in accomplishing our Replicator 2 mission.”
Technical Specifications: AI-Powered Interception
The DroneHunter F700 is a reusable, artificial intelligence-driven interceptor drone designed specifically for low-risk threat mitigation. The system employs AI and radar-based detection to identify and track small, low-altitude drones in complex environments. Once a potential threat is detected, the DroneHunter deploys a tethered net to capture the target drone non-destructively.
Following capture, the system safely tows the interdicted drone to a designated location for forensic analysis. This capability proves particularly valuable in homeland defense scenarios where minimizing collateral risk to civilian populations and infrastructure is paramount.
Replicator 2: From Innovation to Deployment
Replicator 2, the successor to the original Replicator initiative announced in August 2023, pivots from the first phase’s focus on deploying thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains. Replicator 2 specifically targets small UAS threats with a rapid acquisition model designed to accelerate fielding timelines.
“Replicator 2 is not about starting from scratch,” Ross explained. “It’s about leveraging the incredible innovation happening in the commercial sector and getting it deployed where it is needed most.”
Fortem Technologies CEO Jon Gruen said, “This selection is a powerful vote of confidence. Being chosen for the first Replicator 2 purchase reinforces that DroneHunter is not a concept, pilot, or experiment — it’s a deployable, AI-driven interceptor that’s already protecting critical assets and teams around the world in environments where safety, precision, and restraint matter most.”
Established in August 2025, JIATF 401 serves as the lead organization synchronizing counter-UAS systems efforts across the War Department. The task force emphasizes a whole-of-government approach, integrating interagency partners and nontraditional defense firms to build layered defenses against the spectrum of small UAS threats to the homeland.
The original press release announcing the purchase can be found here. More information on Fortem Technologies is available here.
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