Bullfrog: AI Powered Counter Unmanned Aerial System

2026-01-7519

9/22/2026

Authors
Abstract
Content
The proliferation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) presents an asymmetric threat to ground maneuver forces operating in contested and gray-zone environments. The Bullfrog Autonomous Weapon Station (AWS) addresses this operational gap through a passive, AI-powered counter-UAS system employing computer vision and machine learning for autonomous detection, tracking, classification, and engagement. Field testing at Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 26-1 demonstrated 100% probability of defeat against Group 1 UAS targets with a mean engagement time of 6 seconds and 10 rounds per kill at ranges exceeding 160 meters. Operating in both autonomous and human-in-the-loop modes, Bullfrog achieved 99.45% operational availability while leveraging service-common M240B weapons and Modular Open Systems Architecture for rapid integration with Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) networks. At $300,000 per unit with $10 cost-per-engagement, Bullfrog demonstrates operational relevance, speed-to-field, and alignment with Army and Marine Corps autonomy priorities.
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/2026-01-7519
Citation
Cunningham, J. and Clark, A., "Bullfrog: AI Powered Counter Unmanned Aerial System," 2026 NDIA Michigan Chapter Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, Novi, Michigan, United States, August 11, 2026, https://doi.org/10.4271/2026-01-7519.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Sep 22
Product Code
2026-01-7519
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English