Michigan NADWC to Host Department of War Drone Dominance Program (DDP) Gauntlet Phase II Qualifying Event in June

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) today announced that the Michigan National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) has been selected to host a Department of War Drone Dominance Program (DDP) Gauntlet Phase II Qualifying Event, further solidifying Michigan's growing role as a national leader in next-generation military readiness, innovation and autonomous systems training.

The qualifying event, scheduled for June 8-20, will bring together government, military and industry partners to evaluate emerging small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) technologies designed to meet future battlefield requirements. The event marks another major milestone for the NADWC following its recent designation as a Department of War National Range for Deep Uncrewed Aerial Systems Training.

"We are honored to be selected as a site for the DDP Gauntlet Phase II Qualifying Event," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan DMVA. "Michigan is committed to making this event a success by providing a realistic, adaptable environment for testing and evaluation at scale. We look forward to working closely with the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) and participating industry partners to help advance innovative capabilities that meet today's operational challenges and support the future needs of the warfighter."

Anchored by nearly 200,000 acres of maneuver space at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center (CGJMTC) and more than 17,000 square miles of special-use military airspace at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, NADWC delivers a level of scale and realism few training environments can match. These Joint National Training Capability-certified sites feature diverse terrain, robust electromagnetic spectrum access and a true four-season climate, allowing units to stress systems, tactics and formations in conditions that replicate multiple theaters of operation and prepare forces for the next fight. As the largest joint training range east of the Mississippi River and home to the flagship Northern Strike Exercise, NADWC is purpose-built to enhance readiness.

The DDP is awarding $1.1 billion in prototype orders through four independent phases utilizing 10 U.S.C. 4022 authorities. Each phase includes a competitive Gauntlet test event, managed by the TRMC, and concludes with prototype delivery orders for qualifying vendors. Phase II includes four stages: an application process, a Qualifier Event to screen viable systems, a Production and Delivery Test to validate manufacturing readiness, and Gauntlet II to identify the most capable systems for scaling and fielding. Upon completion of the program, multiple vendors are expected to demonstrate the ability to produce capable, low-cost sUAS platforms with secure supply chains at scale, enabling the military to integrate these systems into future acquisition pathways. The program prioritizes innovation, affordability, rapid production and systems sourced and manufactured primarily in the United States. Phase II will award a minimum of $300 million in prototype delivery orders, focusing on 30,000 drones across two mission profiles: long-range strikes and tactical assaults in close quarters.

"We are proud to welcome the TRMC and participating teams to Camp Grayling, where they will have access to one of the nation's premier training environments," said Col. Lucas Lanczy, commander of the CGJMTC. "Our expansive ranges, diverse terrain and ability to support multi-domain operations make this an ideal location to evaluate emerging technologies and capabilities in realistic conditions. We look forward to supporting this important effort and continuing to strengthen Michigan's contribution to national defense readiness and modernization."

For more information, visit DDP Gauntlet Phase II and NADWC.