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Fort Sill's Joint C-sUAS University: Spearheading the charge against drone threats

By Christopher WilsonNovember 6, 2023

Fort Sill's Joint C-sUAS University: Spearheading the charge against drone threats
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Phil Brooks, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, center, observes as to students practice disabling UAVs during training at Fort Sill's new Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) University (JCU). (Photo Credit: Christopher Wilson) VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint C-sUAS University holds first class
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Joint C-sUAS (Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System) University (JCU) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, kicked off this week with its inaugural two-week C-sUAS Operators Course.

Over 20 students, including Soldiers from the US Army, US Air Force, and US Navy participated in the MOS agnostic, Non-Branch/Service specific course.

The C-sUAS Operators Course focuses on the operations of the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) evaluated C-sUAS systems which includes the Drone Buster (pictured).

"The establishment of the Joint C-sUAS University and its mission will prepare Soldiers and leaders, improve readiness, and aid in modernizing the force of 2030 to prepare for Large Scale Combat Operations," said Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda, Joint C-sUAS University Director.

Upon completion, operators will deter the UAS threat via passive air defense measures; detect the UAS threat via visual/audible identification and C-sUAS equipment sets; report UAS threats via applicable policies and procedures; and defeat the UAS threat via kinetic and non-kinetic means. The course ends with a culminating training exercise and is set to graduate at the end of October. (Photo Credit: Amber Osei)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint C-sUAS University holds first class
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Joint C-sUAS (Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System) University (JCU) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, kicked off this week with its inaugural two-week C-sUAS Operators Course.

Over 20 students, including Soldiers from the US Army, US Air Force, and US Navy participated in the MOS agnostic, Non-Branch/Service specific course.

The C-sUAS Operators Course focuses on the operations of the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) evaluated C-sUAS systems which includes the Drone Buster (pictured).

"The establishment of the Joint C-sUAS University and its mission will prepare Soldiers and leaders, improve readiness, and aid in modernizing the force of 2030 to prepare for Large Scale Combat Operations," said Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda, Joint C-sUAS University Director.

Upon completion, operators will deter the UAS threat via passive air defense measures; detect the UAS threat via visual/audible identification and C-sUAS equipment sets; report UAS threats via applicable policies and procedures; and defeat the UAS threat via kinetic and non-kinetic means. The course ends with a culminating training exercise and is set to graduate at the end of October. (Photo Credit: Amber Osei)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint C-sUAS University holds first class
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Joint C-sUAS (Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System) University (JCU) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, kicked off this week with its inaugural two-week C-sUAS Operators Course.

Over 20 students, including Soldiers from the US Army, US Air Force, and US Navy participated in the MOS agnostic, Non-Branch/Service specific course.

The C-sUAS Operators Course focuses on the operations of the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) evaluated C-sUAS systems which includes the Drone Buster (pictured).

"The establishment of the Joint C-sUAS University and its mission will prepare Soldiers and leaders, improve readiness, and aid in modernizing the force of 2030 to prepare for Large Scale Combat Operations," said Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda, Joint C-sUAS University Director.

Upon completion, operators will deter the UAS threat via passive air defense measures; detect the UAS threat via visual/audible identification and C-sUAS equipment sets; report UAS threats via applicable policies and procedures; and defeat the UAS threat via kinetic and non-kinetic means. The course ends with a culminating training exercise and is set to graduate at the end of October. (Photo Credit: Amber Osei)
VIEW ORIGINAL
The threat dictates what system is best for defeat. Therefore, the JCU trains across the spectrum of available systems and updates its curriculum and systems accordingly in order to maintain pace with the emerging threats — Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda

FORT SILL, Okla. (Oct. 25, 2023) — The rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as aerial threats to US and Coalition forces has beckoned a robust response from the US military.

The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) University (JCU) at Fort Sill emerges as a potent answer to this call, epitomizing a centralized and standardized training hub committed to grooming leaders adept at planning and executing counter-sUAS strategies.

Under the stewardship of Lt. Col. Moseph Sauda, the JCU is poised to transform military personnel, enhance readiness, and modernize the force to combat the evolving drone threats both at home and abroad.

"The exponential growth of UAS as a threat to US and Coalition forces and US government installations at home and abroad drove the need to create a centralized and standardized training institution," remarked Sauda, elucidating the impetus behind the JCU's inception.

Before the crystallization of JCU, drone training was fragmented, with service members resorting to various organic and non-organic training methods for offensive and defense UAS training. The transition to a centralized training hub marks a significant leap towards a standardized C-sUAS training regime, ensuring a shared understanding of current and evolving threats among all military services, federal agencies, allied, and partner nations, said Sauda.

Fort Sill, with its rich legacy of training the US Army, Joint Forces, and Coalition partner fires community, emerged as the ideal locale for the JCU. It's a nexus where the doctrine, training, and employment of Counter UAS strategies have been nurtured since the threat surfaced on the military's radar.

The JCU offers a diverse range of courses, with durations spanning from one to three weeks, tailored to meet the demands of the Joint warfighting commanders. These courses are meticulously crafted in collaboration with Joint partners, industry, and academia, ensuring a well-rounded, up-to-date curriculum. Upon completion, service members are awarded a graduation certificate and a service corresponding Skill Identifier, emblematic of their enhanced C-sUAS prowess.

"The threat dictates what system is best for defeat. Therefore, the JCU trains across the spectrum of available systems and updates its curriculum and systems accordingly in order to maintain pace with the emerging threats," Sauda said, shedding light on the adaptive nature of the training in resonance with the evolving drone technologies.

Challenges like detection and tracking of small drones, especially in diverse operational environments, are thoroughly addressed in the training regime. The JCU employs realistic threat replication through simulations and live-UAS exercise scenarios, preparing personnel for a spectrum of threats and environments they might encounter.

The training also delves into the rules of engagement, albeit these may vary depending on the operational environment. The objective is to equip personnel with a comprehensive understanding of C-sUAS capabilities, enabling them to provide valuable leadership, expertise, and operational support wherever their duties beckon.

A notable feature of these courses is the issuance of an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) upon completion, a testament to the Soldiers' augmented capability in the domain of C-UAS. The curriculum is a blend of theory and practical engagement frameworks, encapsulating a multi-step sequence process of Detect, Identify, Track, and Defeat to ensure a comprehensive understanding and application of C-sUAS measures.

The JCU embodies a dynamic and collaborative approach to stay abreast of the swift technological advancements in drone and counter-drone systems, said Sauda. By fostering alliances with federal agencies, joint partners, academia, and industry, the JCU ensures its curriculum remains at the cutting edge of countering UAS threats, including the menacing prospects of drone swarms.

As Sauda aptly encapsulated, the aim of JCU training is to ensure all allied forces have a shared comprehension of current and evolving threats, enabling effective employment of C-sUAS capabilities wherever the call of duty resonates. Through the establishment of the JCU, Fort Sill reaffirms its status as a crucible of military excellence, sharpening the spearhead of the US military’s counter-drone capabilities in the face of an ever-evolving aerial threat landscape.