Apex Tactical Systems | Counter-UAS Training & Technology Center

Primary Mission

Counter-Drone & C-UAS Training

The Department of Homeland Security launched a $1.5 billion counter-drone contract vehicle in January 2026. The FBI's new National Counter-UAS Training Center is actively deputizing state and local law enforcement. Apex is positioned to be a premier private-sector training provider.

DETECTION

Drone Detection & Tracking

RF spectrum analysis, radar integration, acoustic sensors, and optical tracking systems. Train operators to identify, classify, and track hostile UAS in real-time.

DHS/FBI Aligned Curriculum

MITIGATION

Counter-UAS Operator Training

5-day intensive programs covering electronic warfare concepts, jamming protocols, kinetic defeat options, and legal authority frameworks for federal and LE operators.

$4,000 per trainee

CONTRACTS

Agency Training Packages

Custom programs for CBP, ICE, FBI, state/local law enforcement. Full curriculum development, equipment provisioning, and FLETC-aligned certification pathways.

$500K–$2M annual contracts

Federal Opportunity

$1.5B DHS Counter-Drone Contract Vehicle

Launched January 2026, this contract vehicle enables CBP, ICE, and other DHS components to rapidly procure counter-UAS solutions — including training services that Apex is uniquely positioned to deliver.

FBI National Counter-UAS Training Center — actively deputizing state/local LE for counter-drone authority
FLETC sUAS Training Program — 80-hour LE pilot certification, partnership-ready
Blue UAS Program (DoD) — DIU-vetted drones require certified operators across all services

Market Gap

Traditional Ranges Firearms Only

UAS Schools No Tactical

Cyber Ranges No Field Ops

Apex Tactical Full Spectrum ✓

No facility combines C-UAS + Drones + Tactical + Cyber + SDVOSB

Drone Technology

UAS Operations & Training

From Part 107 certification to advanced combat UAS tactics, Apex delivers comprehensive drone training built on real-world operational experience — not textbooks.

UAS Pilot Certification

80-hour programs covering FLETC standards. Part 107 prep through advanced tactical operations. $2,500 per trainee.

Drone Detection Arrays

IoT sensor network integration, RF spectrum monitoring, radar systems. Train teams to build and operate layered detection architectures.

Blue UAS Program Ready

Training on DIU-vetted commercial platforms approved for government use. Growing demand as DoD adoption accelerates.

600+

Foreign SOF Personnel Trained

by Founder John Chain

Advanced Capabilities

Tactical & Cyber Training

Full-spectrum training that integrates firearms, IoT sensor networks, virtual cyber ranges, and dynamic scenario-based exercises using SF/SOF methodology.

Virtual Cyber Ranges

Complex scenario training with real-world attack simulations. Nation-state APT defense.

IoT Sensor Networks

Deploy and operate integrated sensor grids. Motion, acoustic, thermal, and RF detection systems.

Tactical Firearms

SF-methodology range training. Dynamic shoot houses, night ops, and active threat response.

Executive Protection

Corporate security assessments, threat response planning, and team-building tactical experiences.

Training Programs & Pricing

Basic Firearms

$800

2 Days

Adv Tactical

$1,500

3 Days

UAS Cert

$2,500

5 Days

C-UAS Intensive

$4,000

5 Days

LE Agency Pkg

$25K+

Custom

Federal Contract

$2M+

Annual

Competitive Moat

SDVOSB Federal Contracting Advantages

As a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Apex has direct access to federal set-aside and sole-source contracting worth billions annually.

5% Federal Goal

Government agencies are mandated to award at least 5% of all federal contracts to SDVOSBs. Active sourcing creates demand.

Sole-Source to $5M

DoD can award contracts up to $5M directly to SDVOSBs without competitive bidding. Civilian agencies up to $4M.

Set-Aside Contracts

Restricted competition among qualified veteran businesses only. Dramatically reduces competitive field for major awards.

VA Vets First

Priority access to Department of Veterans Affairs contracts. Additional preference layer beyond standard SDVOSB benefits.

State Preferences

Tennessee and many states offer additional veteran business incentives, tax benefits, and procurement preferences.

SAM.gov Registered

Already registered in the System for Award Management. Ready to bid on federal contracts immediately upon certification.

Combat-Tested Leadership

The Founding Team

Unlike typical startups, Apex's founding team served together in combat operations and has direct operational experience with tactical drone systems. Pre-built trust. Real credibility.

John Chain

Founder & CEO

21 years U.S. Army • 13+ years Special Operations
Green Beret — SF Distinguished Honor Graduate
Cyber SME — WATSON & Greyhat Programs
Trained 600+ foreign SOF personnel
$6M+ congressional security programs
AI/ML, AWS, DevOps, penetration testing

Amy Jesh

Director of UAS Operations

Led field ops drone team on combat deployment
Real-world UAS operational experience — not theoretical
Embedded with John's team on second deployment
UAS training lead and curriculum developer

Travis Shirley

CTO • Shield AI

Demo Team Lead at Shield AI ($5.6B defense tech)
Former U.S. Army Green Beret
Same team as John in Iraq — combat-proven trust
Defense AI industry connections and expertise

"We were in Iraq together on the same team. This isn't a startup — it's a mission."

✓ Served together under fire ✓ Real combat UAS experience ✓ Shield AI ($5.6B) connections ✓ SF methodology — small team, high performance

The Facility

500+ Acres in East Tennessee

Rural, remote, and operationally ideal. Our target property offers unrestricted airspace, mixed terrain, existing infrastructure, and proximity to Knoxville — the perfect tactical training environment.

East Tennessee rural property for tactical training facility

500-1,100

Acres

Class G

Airspace

~70 mi

From Knoxville

Facility Advantages

FAA Waiver-Compatible

Class G uncontrolled airspace ideal for UAS ops

Mixed Terrain

Open fields, wooded areas, elevation changes

Existing Infrastructure

Classroom buildings, lodging, utilities in place

Rural but Accessible

Minimal noise restrictions, road access, remote ops

Knoxville (TYS) & Tri-Cities (TRI)

Two regional airports within 70 miles

Development Roadmap

01

Phase 1 — $1.5M

Property acquisition, basic range construction (5 bays), classroom renovation, FAA airspace coordination

02

Phase 2 — $800K

Drone operations field, C-UAS detection array, IoT sensor network, shoot house construction

03

Phase 3 — $500K

Lodging expansion, advanced simulation systems, night operations capability, full marketing launch

Secondary Revenue Stream

Glamping & Corporate Retreats

Between DoD training events, the facility generates additional revenue through high-end hospitality, corporate leadership experiences, and civilian training programs — maximizing asset utilization year-round.

Luxury Glamping

Premium safari tents, treehouses, and cabins in the Appalachian foothills. High-end wilderness experiences for civilian guests and corporate groups.

$200–$500+/night

Corporate Leadership

SF-methodology leadership development and team-building programs. Executive protection training, corporate security assessments, and immersive tactical experiences.

$1,500–$5,000+ packages

Civilian Training

Advanced firearms courses, drone operator certification, survival skills, and membership programs for private-sector clients between government events.

15% of total revenue

The Investment

$6.5M Seed Round

Use of Funds

Property Acquisition $4.75M (73%)

Range Construction $800K (12%)

Drone/C-UAS Equipment $400K (6%)

Working Capital $350K (5%)

Legal/Licensing/Insurance $200K (3%)

5-Year Revenue Projections

Year 1

Ramp-up

$650K

-31% EBITDA

Year 2

Federal contract secured

$1.8M

18% EBITDA

Year 3

Scaling

$4.2M

26% EBITDA

Year 4

Multi-contract

$6.5M

31% EBITDA

Year 5

Full capacity

$8.0M

35% EBITDA

40%

Federal & Government

DHS, FLETC, DoD contracts

25%

Law Enforcement

UAS cert, C-UAS, tactical

20%

Corporate & Executive

Leadership, security, retreats

15%

Private Sector

Civilian courses, memberships

For Investors

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Get In Touch

Ready to Engage?

Whether you're an investor, government agency, or potential training partner — we'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how Apex aligns with your mission.

Email

sdvob@chainai.io

Credentials

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)
21 Years Active Duty • Green Beret
13+ Years Special Operations
SAM.gov Registered • Federal Contract Ready

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Counter-UAS Training & Technology Center