U.S. USNORTHCOM Tests Anduril Counter-Drone System to Defend U.S. Bases from Drone Threats.

An 11-person U.S. Northern Command team validated a new Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) fly-away kit at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, from October 21–27, 2025. The week-long certification marks a major step in protecting U.S. military sites from fast-evolving drone threats.

U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has completed the first field certification of its mobile Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) fly-away kit, following a week-long evaluation at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Between October 21 and 27, an 11-member operations and technical team successfully engaged over 100 drone targets in realistic scenarios, validating the system’s detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities. The effort, coordinated with the 5th Bomb Wing, marks a milestone in USNORTHCOM’s ongoing push to field flexible counter-drone defenses across the homeland.
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The U.S. Northern Command's Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) fly-away kit is pictured during a rapid deployment to a North Dakota base, where operators took part in an exercise showcasing the command’s ability to swiftly support installation commanders facing drone incursions.(Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

According to information published by the U.S. Department of War, on October 27, 2025, the deployment served as both an operational exercise and a certification event for the newly fielded C-sUAS fly-away kit. The system integrates sensors, interceptors, and electronic warfare tools in a single deployable package that can detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones threatening critical infrastructure across the continental United States.

The Minot mission was the first operational test of the Anduril-built system following the command’s Falcon Peak 25.2 experiment at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in September. Despite harsh weather conditions on the northern plains, the USNORTHCOM (U.S. Northern Command) team successfully demonstrated the system’s full operational sequence—from rapid deployment and setup to live target engagements and redeployment back to Colorado Springs.

The fly-away kit combines multiple technologies into a layered defense network. Its core components include the Heimdal mobile sensor trailer, which provides 360-degree radar, thermal optics, and automated target tracking; the Anvil interceptor system, which uses autonomous drones to shadow and neutralize airborne threats; and the Pulsar electromagnetic warfare effector, capable of detecting, classifying, and denying radio frequency links. Completing the suite is the Wisp AI-enabled infrared sensor, which delivers persistent, full-motion, 360-degree coverage for improved threat identification.

All elements are integrated through Lattice, Anduril’s command-and-control software that fuses data from all sensors, manages engagements, and provides real-time analytics for operators. This unified system gives commanders a complete airspace picture and allows them to apply non-kinetic or kinetic countermeasures depending on the level of threat.

Operational roles during the deployment were distributed among specialists from USNORTHCOM and the 21st Space Base Delta. The team handled system setup, calibration, and live engagements, while the 5th Bomb Wing maintained overall authority for base defense. Support personnel oversaw logistics, airlift operations, and equipment redeployment, validating the full operational cycle of the mobile counter-drone capability.

The mission also included interagency coordination with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration under U.S. Code Title 10, Section 130i, which governs counter-UAS operations on U.S. military installations. This framework authorizes installation commanders to detect, track, and neutralize drones violating restricted airspace while ensuring compliance with civil aviation law. During the exercise, USNORTHCOM assisted Minot AFB in updating its 130i defense plan to incorporate the new fly-away kit into future base protection operations.

The C-sUAS engagement process follows a layered workflow. Sensors like Heimdal and Wisp provide continuous airspace surveillance, automatically detecting and classifying unidentified drones. Once a target is identified, operators use Lattice to select the appropriate response—beginning with non-kinetic options such as Pulsar’s radio frequency disruption tools and escalating, if necessary, to physical intercepts by Anvil drones. The system’s automation and AI integration enable rapid, precise decision-making with minimal collateral risk.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joey Frey, USNORTHCOM’s C-sUAS response program manager, praised the team’s rapid progress. “This team far exceeded expectations,” he said. “Their ability to adapt to an unfamiliar mission set and apply air defense tactics in a short time was exceptional.”

Maj. Austin Fairbairn, who led ground operations, added that the experience accelerated joint learning across services. “We brought together a group of people from different backgrounds and turned them into a high-functioning team of professionals,” he said. “This deployment built a solid foundation for real-world drone engagements.”

The deployment also emphasized teamwork and adaptability across the joint force. Tech. Sgt. Ian Kay of the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron said that collaboration was essential to success. “No matter your rank or career field, teamwork and commitment make the mission successful,” he said.

By aligning operational execution with federal legal frameworks and real-world scenarios, the Minot exercise demonstrated how USNORTHCOM can rapidly deploy counter-drone forces to protect key assets within the homeland. The operation also highlighted the growing importance of autonomous systems, AI-driven sensor fusion, and interagency coordination in defending against small unmanned threats.

The certification of USNORTHCOM’s C-sUAS fly-away team represents a milestone in the evolution of U.S. homeland defense. As drones become more accessible and capable, this deployment signals a doctrinal shift toward agile, technology-driven base protection that integrates electronic warfare, autonomous interceptors, and human decision-making.