Army holding xTechSearch pitch days

The Army is holding pitch days today and tomorrow for its Expeditionary Technology Search, or "xTechSearch," for small businesses to present emerging technologies to address modernization challenges.

An Army Futures Command notice states the two-day event, being held in Austin, TX, "will focus on potential innovations in combat vehicles, power and energy, vertical lift, long range precision fires, force protection, air and missile defense and logistics."

The xTechSearch competition will consist of four phases, starting with a "no-holds-barred call for information papers proposing a unique technology-based idea that could potentially innovate the Army" that will be reviewed by Army experts. Up to 48 small businesses will be awarded a $5,000 prize and an invitation to attend phase ll of the competition, the technology pitch.

Competitors are eliminated in phase lll, dubbed "innovators' corner" and phase IV, "proof of concept."

Finalists will be "offered a slot in the xTech Accelerator, one of the most dynamic public-private hybrid programs in the Army focused on the science and technology community" and one winner will receive $250,000.

Technology from the competition will be featured at this year's Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting in Washington from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14.