Maj. Austin Knighton received the 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Individual Achievement Award for Flexibility in Acquisition. Knighton was recognized for his accomplishments while previously serving as the Assistant Product Manager (APM) for the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) Manpack.
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A Solider utilizes the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) manpack during a recent Ivy Sting event.
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The 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Award Winners were announced in a ceremony at the Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU) on March 19. The event was hosted by the Honorable Michael P. Duffey, Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. (View a replay of the ceremony at https://media.dau.edu/media/t/1_i5hzod2m/64333631.)
Duffey highlighted how the award winners exemplify the very best in acquisition and their work aligns with the transformation strategy by prioritizing flexibility and delivering capabilities at speed. “The future moves fast and so should we,” he said.
Among the 2025 Warfighting Acquisition award winners is Maj. Austin T. Knighton, who received the Individual Achievement Award for Flexibility in Acquisition. Knighton previously served as the Assistant Product Manager (APM) for the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) Manpack.
Knighton’s innovative use of acquisition flexibilities resulted in the rapid delivery of the Army’s first integrated electronic warfare and signals intelligence dismounted program of record capability. He led the TLS Manpack program from requirements approval to production and fielding in just 12 months. This expeditious and near record turnaround was made possible by rapid prototyping and rapid fielding—underscoring the utility of Middle Tier Acquisition to quickly bring a capability to fruition. Under Knighton’s leadership, such focused urgency and execution to demonstrate, test, and rapidly procure this modular and mobile system is making a significant contribution to winning the electromagnetic spectrum fight.
“It was an honor to be part of such a talented team on this very dynamic program,” said Knighton. “I really appreciate the trust from leadership, which empowered us to move with speed and purpose, cut through bureaucracy, and challenge outdated ways of doing acquisition. This allowed us to rapidly deliver critical capabilities and is an approach the Army Acquisition community will continue to build on to ensure warfighters are equipped and ready to fight and win in any environment.”
“This award highlights Maj. Knighton’s dedication to fulfilling a critical requirement on an accelerated timeline, employing his acquisition acumen and leadership skills in alignment with warfighters’ needs. He is a true testament to putting the warfighter first,” said Col. Scott L. Shaffer, Project Manager Electronic Warfare & Cyber (PM EW&C).
The TLS BCT Manpack system is a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of SIGINT and EW collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities resident within the SIGINT Collection Team and Electronic Warfare Team elements.
