U.S. military leaders schedule first of many counter-UAV demonstrations for April at Yuma Proving Ground

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon aims to field a low-collateral effects unmanned aircraft interceptor -- part of its evolving and enduring solution to countering small drones -- by fiscal 2022, according to the joint office in charge of the effort. Defense News reports Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

15 Feb. 2021 -- Leaders of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) established the Army-led Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Office (JCO) a little more than a year ago.

Experts laid out a path for how they will develop a system to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and approving requirements that guide industry how to plug into one command-and-control system. The JCO also identified systems that make up an interim counter-UAV solution last year.

In April industry will demonstrate the program's UAV-defense technology for the first time at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. Officials will schedule about two such demonstrations each year. The Air Force Research Laboratory and the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office will run the demonstrations.

Related: Air Force to conduct industry briefings on enabling technologies for future counter-small-UAV capabilities

Related: Air Force shows counter-UAV laser weapons based on fiber lasers that can defeat threat of drone swarms

Related: The fight against unmanned aircraft intrusions

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics