Hidden Level Named a Top Performer in DIU’s C-sUAS Low-Cost Sensing Challenge

Syracuse, NY  - (December 19, 2025) Hidden Level, a pioneer in passive radar and low-altitude airspace awareness technology, today announced it has been selected as a top performer in the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Low-Cost Sensing Challenge.

The announcement, made in collaboration with U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the U.S. Army, highlights four leading sensing technologies chosen from ten finalists who advanced to live testing out of a competitive field of 115 submissions. The Low-Cost Sensing Challenge selected top performing solutions that are scalable, cost-effective, and capable of enhancing DoD’s counter-UAS (C-sUAS) mission by providing distributed domain awareness.

“We’re thrilled to be named a finalist in the Low-Cost Sensing Challenge for our passive radar and RF sensing technology,” said Jeff Cole, Hidden Level CEO. "Hidden Level was built on the idea that sensing solutions can be faster, smarter, and dramatically more affordable and this award is a strong validation of that mission. We’re grateful to DIU for pushing the defense ecosystem forward and for recognizing technologies that can be fielded quickly where they’re needed most.”

The C-sUAS Low-Cost Sensing Challenge was designed to complement exquisite sensor systems with diverse, affordable modalities, including passive RF detection, active radar, optics, and multi-mode sensing, that can deliver broad situational awareness with reach, redundancy, and resiliency.

In a statement announcing the finalists, Acting Director of DIU’s Autonomy Portfolio, David Payne stated: “Small UAS threats are evolving faster than traditional acquisition cycles, and meeting that challenge requires capabilities that can be deployed at speed and scale. The selected solutions show how commercial innovation can strengthen our layered defense - delivering affordable sensing that we can field widely, adapt quickly, and keep the warfighter ahead of the threat.”

Hidden Level’s technology, built around passive radar and Radio Frequency (RF) sensing, is designed to integrate with command and control frameworks and provide real-time low-altitude and RF imagery without transmitting signals. This capability supports defense and joint operations where visibility into small unmanned systems is increasingly critical.

ABOUT HIDDEN LEVEL

Hidden Level is a U.S.-based technology company delivering passive radar and radio frequency (RF) solutions that form the backbone of next-gen airspace security. Its real-time monitoring systems are trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, the FAA, and the Arlington Police Department to provide accurate, privacy-protected visibility into what’s flying nearby. Learn more at www.hiddenlevel.com.