SkyValor (formerly Merlin) is an autonomous counter-UAS system developed by CACI International and validated by jiatf-401 for Joint Force-wide use on June 7, 2026 (src-defensescoop-autonomous-cuas-approved-2026-06).
Capabilities
- Non-kinetic defeat: RF jamming at 40+ mile range with automated “sense and shoot” algorithms operating 24/7
- Net-capture: Physical interception of drones at up to ~4-mile range
- Coverage: Small FPV drones through the largest UAS group classifications
- Platform: Trailer-mounted, fully autonomous, operable at various classification levels
Validation
Tested at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma over two days in mid-May 2026 alongside Joint Task Force–Southern Border and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Validated June 7, 2026 as “one component of a layered C-UAS defense across the entire Joint Force.”
Lt. Col. adam-scher (JIATF-401) confirmed it: “SkyValor is now validated for use as one component of a layered C-UAS defense across the entire Joint Force.”
Gap Noted
Gen. gregory-guillot flagged at SOF Week (May 2026) that SkyValor does not fill the persistent gap for a portable C-UAS that can follow soldiers actively patrolling the southern border.
Contract (July 2026)
jiatf-401 awarded CACI a contract worth up to $500M (announced Jul 31, 2026), moving SkyValor into full-rate production under an initial Domestic Shield task order. The IDIQ structure was framed by Col. tony-lindh as deliberately avoiding “product-centric” lock-in. Two new variants referenced in the contract: CORIAN v3 (fixed-site, RF jamming) and BEAM (backpackable) — the latter a partial answer to Guillot’s portable-C-UAS gap. A separate, undisclosed contract covers a truck-integrated variant. (src-caci-skyvalor-counter-drone-contract-2026-07)