The Navy's Robotic and Autonomous Systems program office will hold an industry "town hall" focused on counter-unmanned system (C-UxS) technologies later this month, according to a Monday announcement.

Scheduled for May 19, the virtual event will focus on accelerating the development and fielding of defensive systems to counter emerging unmanned threats. Prospective attendees must register by May 14.

The event is the second in a series of town halls hosted by the Navy’s new Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS), which was established in December to streamline the development of uncrewed systems and related technologies.

In March, the office launched a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel solicitation through a new ‘marketplace’ acquisition model, expected to serve as a template for future programs. During an initial town hall on April 1, the office detailed this marketplace approach to industry. 

Part of a Pentagon-wide acquisition overhaul, PAE RAS has absorbed at least 47 distinct systems previously distributed across more than a dozen Navy and Marine Corps program offices.