US Army Conducts Successful Counter Drone-Swarm Demonstration.

The U.S. Army's Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Systems Office (JCO) recently conducted its most challenging counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) test to date, paving the way for future capabilities to counter small drone attacks. Held at Yuma Proving Ground from June 3 to 28, 2024, the fifth C-sUAS demonstration involved launching over 40 UAS targets converging on a defended area in each session. These rigorous tests allowed the JCO to evaluate the command-and-control capabilities of nine C-sUAS systems, analyzing how each system detected and identified different types of UAS threats.
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Soldiers test the Mobile-Low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System and its 30mm anti-drone turret, Udairi Range, Kuwait, Jul. 30, 2023 (Picture source: US DoD)

Colonel Michael Parent, chief of the JCO Acquisition Division, highlighted the success of the demonstration in informing U.S. forces and allies about existing capabilities to manage complex UAS threat profiles. He emphasized the importance of differentiating and prioritizing the most promising threats among an incoming swarm of UAS targets.

The demonstration presented a wide range of threats, attacking the C-sUAS systems in mass and in waves, and included both kinetic and non-kinetic defeat solutions. The experiments tested various capabilities such as guided rockets, kinetic interceptor drones, electro-optical/infrared cameras, radio frequency scanners, and radio frequency jammers. The threat profiles included rotary wing, fixed wing, slow-moving, and propeller-powered UAS threats.

Small unmanned aircraft systems pose a significant threat to Army and U.S. military operations, as well as to regions like Ukraine and parts of Israel. These drones provide a low-cost means to transport ammunition for targeted attacks and gather reconnaissance for enemy forces. To address this threat, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper designated the Army as the executive agent for C-sUAS defense in 2019.

Parent indicated that the JCO plans to begin prototyping specific C-sUAS proposals in 2025, based on the capabilities and needs of combatant commanders. The next C-sUAS demonstration is scheduled for the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2025. Compared to previous demonstrations held between 2021 and 2023, the latest test showed significant improvements in speed and threat recognition by the vendors' systems.

This test, marking the first demonstration in nearly 12 months, revealed the necessity of a full system-of-systems approach to counter a large and varied profile of UAS threats. As the JCO evaluates the test results, Parent refrained from commenting on the effectiveness of each system or specific performance data. However, it was noted that the JCO selected two proposals from Maryland-based ELTA North America, including a vehicle-mounted solution and a platoon transport solution.

The results of the tests will be compiled and sent to U.S. combatant commands and vendors by the end of July. Additionally, the JCO will collaborate with joint partners to identify priority areas for UAS systems.