Marine Corps Buys Anduril Pulsar-L Counter-Drone Jammers for Amphibious Combat Vehicles

The US Marine Corps is buying Anduril Pulsar-L electronic warfare systems to give its Amphibious Combat Vehicles a way to detect and jam small hostile drones, under a $15.7 million sole-source award. Marine Corps Systems Command announced the deal, reported by The Defense Post on 30 September, after the service said the eight-wheeled ACVs had no means of defending themselves against the drone threat.

The value is $15,711,445.50 for an unspecified number of Pulsar-L units, according to The War Zone, which put the announcement at 24 September 2026. The Marines call it an urgent requirement, and an earlier notice of intent pointed to more than 50 units over 12 months.

What Is the Marine Corps Buying for the ACV?

Pulsar-L is a compact, platform-integrated soft-kill counter-drone package that combines a sensor and a jammer. The Marine Corps describes it as able to detect, track, identify and defeat radio-frequency-dependent Group 1 and Group 2 drones, meaning small aircraft up to 55 pounds. Per The Defense Post, the system operates autonomously, can connect to several electronic warfare systems to deliver coordinated effects, and geolocates the signals it picks up.

The Marines also cite machine learning that lets the system adapt to new threats without vendor software updates. The War Zone notes this matters because drone tactics in Ukraine change quickly.

Why Did the Marines Skip Competition?

Marine Corps Systems Command invoked an “unusual and compelling” need. In its words, quoted by The War Zone, there is “an unusual and compelling need for the rapid deployment of SK C-UASs to forward-deployed ground units as Marines currently lack the ability to conduct self-defense against emerging UAS threats.” Tectonic Defense, summarising the justification, reports the service said newly fielded ACVs lacked the ability to carry out any part of the detect, track, identify or defeat chain against small drones.

The Defense Post reports that the Marine Corps judged Pulsar-L the only solution that met the requirement within the ACV’s space, weight and power limits. The system is already in use with US Special Operations Command. Tectonic Defense adds that the Marines committed to watching industry alternatives and competing future counter-drone needs where possible.

How Big Is the ACV Fleet That Needs Protection?

The ACV replaces the aging tracked Assault Amphibious Vehicle. BAE Systems builds it with Iveco, and it is based on the Italian SuperAV. The War Zone lists the April 2026 inventory and the stated goals:

The report places the jammer buy within a wider ACV survivability push that includes planned active protection systems and overhead armor screening.

How Did the Pulsar-L Deal Develop?

Anduril first showed Pulsar-L in April 2025, when Defense News reported that it weighs under 25 pounds, comes in airborne and expeditionary versions and can be set up in minutes. The company said it went from concept to fielding in eight months.

What Is Anduril and Where Does Pulsar-L Fit?

The Marines already have a large Anduril counter-drone relationship. Tectonic Defense recalls a $642 million, ten-year program of record for Marine Corps counter-drone systems awarded in 2025. Anduril has also been active in air defense elsewhere, as in the Army IFPC Increment 2 interceptor race.

Marine Corps ACV Pulsar-L FAQ

How much is the Anduril Pulsar-L contract?

$15,711,445.50, awarded sole-source by Marine Corps Systems Command, per The War Zone.

How many Pulsar-L systems will the Marines get?

The award does not say. An earlier notice of intent cited more than 50 units over a 12-month period.

What drones can Pulsar-L counter?

Radio-frequency-dependent Group 1 and Group 2 drones, up to 55 pounds, according to the Marine Corps as reported by The Defense Post.

Why was the contract not competed?

The Marines cited an urgent need and said Pulsar-L was the only solution fitting the ACV’s space, weight and power limits.

When will ACVs get the system?

Defense Daily reported a target of initial fielding in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, which starts in October 2026.