The prevalence of drones on today’s battlefields is increasing, and this has a significant impact around the world. In particular, according to the Royal United Services Institute think tank, Ukraine loses about 10,000 drones every month while defending itself against Russian invaders. The strategic deployment of coordinated drone swarms is a powerful challenge that prompts the US military to address the problem ahead of schedule.

Solving this problem requires a comprehensive and multi-layered approach, as Major General Sean Gainey, head of the Joint Small Drone Countermeasure Office, pointed out in his speech at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium. Gainey stressed the need a combination of electronic warfare and powerful microwave technologies with kinetic inhibitorssuch as 30mm cannons to effectively neutralize large numbers of drones.

Pentagon is working on technology that will destroy all drone swarms

The Pentagon’s counter-drone unit has taken an active position in finding solutions. For this purpose, both fixed and mobile tracking and identification tools will probably be used.

The upcoming show, as described in the RFP, possibilities to counter swarm drones: “UAV swarm system is defined as a group of unmanned aerial vehicles that exhibit coordinated behavior to achieve a common goal.”

According to a previous announcement by the counter drone office earlier this year, participants in the June 2024 show will be selected in late October or early November.

Current threat

Established in late 2019, the Pentagon’s Army-led Anti-Drone Office is developing the military’s capability against UAVs. Since its inception, the office has run four demonstrations focusing on various aspects of countering small drones and swarms. These demonstrations included the discovery of low-interference suppression devices, cost-effective ground-based and handheld solutions, powerful microwave ovens, and countering UAVs as a service.

During a recent demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the Anti-Drone Unit addressed the growing threat posed by FPV drones, which are becoming more common in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. During the demonstration, effective strategies were sought to combat these drones, and both electronic warfare and low-cost interception options emerged.

Does Ukraine have advanced solutions to intercept drones?

Major General Sean Gainey said the U.S. armed forces had already Expanded drone-fighting capabilities for partners like Ukraine. Among the delivered systems are BlueHalo’s “Titan” electronic warfare equipment and various inexpensive interceptors.

This approach, which is still being actively developed, also includes the deployment of UAV countermeasures as a service. The Marine Corps has allocated funds for six facilities, including the US Special Operations Forces Command. The Army plans to create two more sites in fiscal 2024.