U.S. Army Initiates Modular Drone Payload Integration with Picatinny CLIK Standards
The U.S. Army is advancing a modular, plug-and-play drone payload integration initiative using Picatinny CLIK and sUPI standards. A sources sought notice was issued on February 24, 2026, to gather industry input for a standardized munition payload interface for uncrewed aerial systems. The Army aims to enhance the rapid deployment of unmanned systems by 2027, enabling soldiers to engage targets more safely and effectively. An industry day is planned for summer 2026 to share a draft Request for Proposal.
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The U.S. Army is pursuing a modular, plug-and-play architecture for drone munitions, utilizing the Picatinny Common Lethality Interface Kit (CLIK) and small Universal Payload Interface (sUPI) standards.
A sources sought notice published on February 24, 2026, seeks industry input for a standardized munition payload interface for uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on accelerating integration. The Army aims to rapidly deploy low-cost unmanned aerial systems to enhance battlefield effectiveness by 2027.
An industry day is scheduled for summer 2026, requiring participants to be registered in the System for Award Management. The CLIK standard allows interchangeable payloads across different platforms, promoting operational flexibility and reducing redesign needs.
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