Amid Ukraine and Israel conflicts, Pentagon acquisition chief sees counter-drone ‘crisis’

Amid Ukraine and Israel conflicts, Pentagon acquisition chief sees counter-drone ‘crisis’
Amid Ukraine and Israel conflicts, Pentagon acquisition chief sees counter-drone ‘crisis’

“It is an urgent issue. … We need counter UAS capabilities at scale,” said Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante. “We need lots of money, we need production lines to go up fast.”

Army on the hunt for counter-drone tech as firms show off c-UAS solutions

Army on the hunt for counter-drone tech as firms show off c-UAS solutions
Army on the hunt for counter-drone tech as firms show off c-UAS solutions

Counter-drone strategy was a key theme at this year’s AUSA conference, ahead of an Army challenge to industry to take out dozens of UAVs at a time.

Why countering small UAS and swarms demands highly capable radars

Why countering small UAS and swarms demands highly capable radars
Why countering small UAS and swarms demands highly capable radars

Threatened by drones that can work collaboratively and without GPS or a command link, it’s important to have radars that can detect hundreds of incoming tracks so they can be defeated.

The ‘Kinetic Pendulum’: How the Army wants to defeat drone threats

The ‘Kinetic Pendulum’: How the Army wants to defeat drone threats
The ‘Kinetic Pendulum’: How the Army wants to defeat drone threats

Advanced capabilities, like lasers and high-power microwave, will have to work in tandem with bullets or jamming to defeat drones threats as they evolve.

Army RCCTO pursues drone swarming capability after first contract award

Army RCCTO pursues drone swarming capability after first contract award
Army RCCTO pursues drone swarming capability after first contract award

“It’s one thing to do a coordinated attack that looks like a swarm. It’s another thing to have one operator, multiple devices, some seeking, some looking for targets, some killing targets and interacting together without you pushing a button,” Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood said.

COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech

COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech
COVID-19, Supply Chain Issues Hampering Pentagon’s Quest To Buy Counter-Drone Tech

Half of the companies invited to participate in a counter-drone demonstration this September ended up skipping it due to COVID-19.

Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?

Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?
Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?

“We’re painting with broad strokes, but we’re diving into what missions of the future will look like. The technology is not quite Star Wars, but we’re getting close,” said Jeremy Murray-Krezan, AFRL’s directed energy deputy chief scientist, says.

Next DoD Counter-Drone Demo May Expand Kill Options

Next DoD Counter-Drone Demo May Expand Kill Options
Next DoD Counter-Drone Demo May Expand Kill Options

“I think it’s September you’ll see us open up up the aperture, looking at other capabilities besides low collateral effects,” said Stan Darbro, Army RCCTO deputy.

DoD Likely To Miss 2021 Deadline For Counter-Drone Weapon

DoD Likely To Miss 2021 Deadline For Counter-Drone Weapon
DoD Likely To Miss 2021 Deadline For Counter-Drone Weapon

“Low-collateral effect interceptors” against small drones would be used in “defeating small UAS in urban environments, over sensitive sites, or situations where the rules of engagement would not allow kinetic effects,” DoD’s solicitation to industry says.

DoD Drone Strategy Focuses On Low-End Threats – Not Nation-States

DoD Drone Strategy Focuses On Low-End Threats – Not Nation-States
DoD Drone Strategy Focuses On Low-End Threats – Not Nation-States

In April, the Yuma, Ariz. test range will host a competition of “low collateral damage” countermeasures designed to stop mini-drones without firing a shot. But can such a restrained approach stop the drone swarms Russia and others are developing?

New Counter Drone Strategy Hits Esper’s Desk

New Counter Drone Strategy Hits Esper’s Desk
New Counter Drone Strategy Hits Esper’s Desk

A parallel joint requirements document will be briefed to industry Oct. 30, Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey, head of the Joint Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems office, says.

Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall

Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall
Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall

THOR puts high-powered microwaves to fry drone swarms’ electronics in a rugged and deployable package.