**PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii**—The U.S. Army is innovating to address logistics challenges in the Indo-Pacific through the use of robot boats, counter-drone systems, and a prototype Army landing craft, alongside offering a total of one million dollars in cash prizes to incentivize participation. This effort aims to accelerate the integration of new technology into the hands of soldiers.
The experimentation phase of the Army’s xTech contest commenced on **September 9**, 2023. During the event, representatives from HavocAI demonstrated small gray autonomous boats at Pearl Harbor, showcasing their capabilities to protect a high-value asset, specifically a **Maneuver Support Vessel (Light)** (MSV(L)-01), from potential threats. A total of **10 companies** participated in this contest, testing their technologies in the waters of Pearl Harbor.
On **Thursday**, three winning teams will each receive **$35,000** in cash prizes, along with valuable feedback from soldiers and technical experts, which will assist them in obtaining follow-on contracts. Jessica Stillman, the project manager for the Army’s xTech program, explained the collaboration with **U.S. Army Pacific** aimed at identifying capability gaps and inviting industry solutions. Her intention is to streamline the entry for new companies into the Army’s innovation pipeline by providing direct feedback from relevant stakeholders.
Out of approximately **130 submissions**, the 10 competing companies were selected, with about **44 percent** being first-time applicants to the Defense Department. Stillman noted the importance of keeping problem statements broad, allowing the industry to present innovative solutions that could address the Army’s needs, facilitating market research and integration of new technologies.
While xTech has hosted nearly **50 contests** to date, this was the first that allowed for practical scenario testing in a controlled environment. Additional experiments took place at **Schofield Barracks**, focusing on unexploded ordnance and electronic warfare technologies.
The **MSV(L)-01**, which also served as a “high-value asset” during the contest, is designed to replace the Vietnam-era **Landing Craft Mechanized** and is specifically targeted for operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Vessel Master Chief Warrant Officer 2 **Matthew Davis** explained that this vessel provides increased capacity and capability, supporting up to **82 short tons** in payload while maintaining a shallow draft of only **5.5 feet**. This allows it to approach beaches directly and deploy its ramp, unlike other Army vessels that require port access.
Looking ahead, Stillman mentioned that there are **three additional contests** planned over the next three months, each with different commands, emphasizing a senior leadership focus on rapidly delivering new technologies to soldiers as a central goal.
