PHILADELPHIA –
From modern battlefields overseas to reconnaissance and security missions in the United States and abroad, unmanned aerial systems - or drones - are reshaping the battlespace and redefining military operations and intelligence.
The Defense Logistics Agency is taking measures to become the premier UAS and counter-UAS procurement source for the Department of War and other federal agencies.
In a July 2025 memorandum from the Secretary of War, titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance,” the DoW outlined a threefold mission to maintain superiority in UAS operations, which includes bolstering the U.S. drone manufacturing base, arming combat units with low-cost American-made drones, and integrating UAS into all relevant combat training.
In response, DLA Troop Support’s Construction and Equipment supply chain, created an online Drone Corridor Marketplace on FedMall, where customers can purchase DoW-approved UAS, C-UAS systems, accessories and incidental services. The site went live earlier this month.
The supply chain also staffed a Rapid Entry Autonomous Procurement requirements team, consisting of subject matter experts ready to assist in all aspects of the procurement process. The team helps simplify the complex procurement landscape for military and federal customers, ensuring they can acquire mission-critical technology with greater speed and confidence, said John Cuorato Jr., C&E’s Fire and Marine division chief.
“Our mission is to remove obstacles and get warfighters the unmanned systems they need—quickly and confidently” Cuorato said. “We want to be there for that corporal who gets an order to 'buy drones now' and doesn't know where to start.”
A central pillar of C&E’s initiative is the new drone marketplace, an e-commerce ordering platform operated by the DoW. The marketplace, created in collaboration with DLA’s Information Technology office, offers a streamlined process for ordering a wide array of UAS, C-UAS, and related accessories from the Defense Contract Management Agency’s “Blue List,” which certifies systems are secure, reliable and compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act.
“The government has created a list of vetted and certified platforms, and they are saying ‘we want you to buy these’ because the systems and the technology is secure,” Cuorato said. “So, we’re taking that list of approved systems and setting it up so you can buy them quickly, at pre-negotiated prices, using a variety of different funding vehicles. Once registered, it is a very ‘point and click’ process, which I think a lot of people are into.”
The website improves speed and efficiency by drastically reducing procurement timelines from months to days when compared to traditional contracting methods, Cuorato said.
“We’re here to make it as easy as possible, as fast as possible and as inexpensive as possible for the customer,” Cuorato said. “We are here to support the mission, support readiness, and increase lethality for the Warfighter. That is what we do, easier, better, faster.”
For customers looking for customized systems or capabilities not found within the DCMA Blue List catalog, the C&E REAPr team can work with them and suppliers to build and procure drones that fit their operational demands, said Army Lt. Col. Matthew Szarzynski, C&E executive agent REAPr team member.
“When we get customers that need UAS’s for a certain mission, or they need them to perform certain tasks or carry a particular payload, we can say, ‘great! Here’s a couple that can do that,’” said Szarzynski. “Here’s product information. Here is a website to go to. Here’s a point of contact to help get the exact package you want. We have to be that source of information for them to make sure they are successful in their mission.”
The REAPr team has become subject matter experts on UAS and C-UAS platforms and maintains their expertise through industry engagement, interacting with manufacturers, suppliers and customers, and attending events such as the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. October 2025, as well as others, where industry partners highlight UAS systems and new advancements.
“We go to every manufacturer that’s there at these events and, we exchange contact information, we get product info, and we learn a tremendous amount about cutting edge technology,” Szarzynski said. “And we are able to share that information with our customers to make sure they are getting the right product for the right job.”