An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Army, joint force work to counter evolving small unmanned aircraft threat

By Christopher Hurd, Army News ServiceJuly 17, 2023

As unmanned aircraft technology proliferates, America’s adversaries are using even small systems similar to the one seen here to target Soldiers and critical infrastructure. The Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO), established in 2020 to tackle this...
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – As unmanned aircraft technology proliferates, America’s adversaries are using even small systems similar to the one seen here to target Soldiers and critical infrastructure. The Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO), established in 2020 to tackle this threat, hosted two C-sUAS demonstrations at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) last year with the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) to give industry the opportunity to show their latest technology to defeat these threats. The first two demonstrations were so successful that YPG was tapped again to host a third multi-week event in April 2022. (Image was cropped to emphasize subject) (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey (left), Director of the Army's Joint C-UAS Office (JCO), listens to a brief on the MORFIUS interceptor during JCOs' most recent demonstration of the latest C-sUAS technology at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) on...
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey (left), Director of the Army's Joint C-UAS Office (JCO), listens to a brief on the MORFIUS interceptor during JCOs' most recent demonstration of the latest C-sUAS technology at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) on June 8, 2023. The demonstrations are expected to continue for several more years, with each subsequent test focusing on different types of sUAS threats and C-sUAS systems. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON — The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office, along with the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and industry partners, completed a four-week demonstration in June at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

The event was to test solutions for defeating one-way small aircraft systems that are preprogrammed with a target and don’t require an operator after launching. The team chose to test this emerging threat following a capability gap analysis.

This UAS variant creates additional challenges for countering the system, said Col. Mike Parent, chief of the JCO’s acquisition and resources division. The demonstration allows the team to test solutions that could potentially help the operational force close that gap.

During this event, the team worked with industry partners to develop five solutions, including laser-guided missiles and high-powered microwaves.

Each capability was tested during the demonstration against an attacking UAS from a range of 2.5 miles or more. The systems engaged a single UAS weighing between 55-1,320 pounds at low altitude and then one at high altitude.

The combination of the attacking aircraft and the distance to engage the target proved to be a challenge for all the solutions, but the team was satisfied with how they performed, Parent said.

The JCO will post a detailed report of the results from the demonstration later this month. The team will deliver that report along with the cost of the solutions to each U.S. military branch and partner nations for consideration moving forward.

This event was the fourth demonstration the team has performed with industry partners since 2021. These events evaluate emerging technologies, close capability gaps, inform requirements and promote innovation. Each one focuses on a particular problem.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for the week-long C-sUAS demonstration held in April 2021 and focused on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology in a low collateral effects interceptor assessment. In January,...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for the week-long C-sUAS demonstration held in April 2021 and focused on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology in a low collateral effects interceptor assessment. In January, the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) and the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) solicited information from private industry, and received multiple white papers in response.

(Photo Credit: Mark Schauer)
VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for the week-long C-sUAS demonstration held in April 2021 and focused on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology in a low collateral effects interceptor assessment. In January,...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for the week-long C-sUAS demonstration held in April 2021 and focused on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology in a low collateral effects interceptor assessment. In January, the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) and the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) solicited information from private industry, and received multiple white papers in response.

(Photo Credit: Mark Schauer)
VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for a three week counter-small unmanned aerial system demonstration in April 2021 focusing on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology to intercept and defeat incoming threat...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) provided the ideal backdrop for a three week counter-small unmanned aerial system demonstration in April 2021 focusing on the most cutting edge drone-busting technology to intercept and defeat incoming threat sUAS. The testers evaluated five unique systems: three ground-based, and two dismounted. (Photo Credit: Mark Schauer) VIEW ORIGINAL

The first event, completed in collaboration with the Air Force, concentrated on low collateral effects interceptor capabilities. These autonomous aircraft track and shoot down enemy piloted UAS.

The second demonstration looked at ground launched systems without inflight terminal guidance, while the third event featured high-powered microwave ground-based aerial denial systems. These capabilities use focused electromagnetic pulses from ground locations to destroy airborne small UAS.

Following each event, a solution was purchased for prototype, operational testing or further development by one of the services/partners.

“The [UAS] threat is evolving,” Parent explained. “…These demonstrations aren’t just JCO demonstrations, they’re really demonstrations going on with all the services, partners and allies. That synchronizes our efforts across the services, across DOD, with our partners and really looks at what we can do to get after that threat … because it will continue to evolve.”

The JCO is planning another demonstration next year. After conducting a capability gap analysis, the team will select a focus area and engage with industry partners as they continue to look at ways to counter the UAS threat.

RELATED LINKS:

C-sUAS demo returns to Yuma Proving Ground

Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Demonstration returns to Yuma Proving Ground

Army News Service

ARNEWS archives