ESTONIA — Exercise Digital Shield commenced March 5, 2026, uniting Estonian and U.S. service members to evaluate emerging air defense technologies. The exercise aims to enhance the capability of allied forces to detect, decide and act more rapidly than potential adversaries in a disrupted environment.
The operation centers on the integration of experimental counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities into operational networks, while reinforcing coordination between allied forces on NATO’s eastern flank.
“The objectives for Digital Shield are ensuring that we're integrating experimental counter-UAS effectors and sensors into a scalable commercial cloud architecture, really building out the Eastern Flank deterrence initiative and ensuring that we can defeat mass momentum in the air domain,” said U.S. Army Capt. Micah Maule, plans officer for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Exercise planners designed the training scenario to closely replicate real-world operations.
“The conditions for this exercise are as close to the operational environment as we can get,” said Maule.
During the exercise, participants operate in a contested environment that includes simulated cyber disruptions and high operational stress. Training under these conditions allows service members to understand their equipment, refine procedures and build confidence in the systems used during real-world operations.
“The Estonian Defense Forces and 10th AAMDC designed this exercise really to execute exactly where we expect it,” Maule said.
The exercise builds on more than a decade of cooperation between U.S. and Estonian forces during Operation Atlantic Resolve, which has strengthened interoperability and regional deterrence across NATO’s eastern flank.
Digital Shield also reflects the rapid pace of technological change on the modern battlefield. New drone platforms and delivery methods have introduced additional challenges for air defense units, requiring continuous testing and adaptation of countermeasures.
“The significance of Digital Shield is just the pace that we're moving,” Maule said. “This is the second iteration of Digital Shield, and we execute each one every 90 days. It's a very quick, very fast pace. We're going to move fast, break things, and fix them fast in conjunction with our Estonian allies.”
The exercise includes multiple teams working together to establish communications networks, identify aerial threats and coordinate defensive responses. Communications units build and maintain operational networks to support mission command, while drone teams and scouts simulate hostile aerial threats. Air defense teams then test countermeasures against those systems.
Many of the technologies tested during the exercise are commercially available systems adapted for military use.
“With the proliferation of drones, they're very cheap and very easy to produce,” Maule said. “So we're looking at cost-effective solutions that can counter the mass amount of drones that we can expect to see.”
According to Maule, the capabilities tested during Digital Shield are designed for global application and through agencies such as the Joint Interagency Task Force South.
“The technology that we're testing out here, just because we're testing in Europe, it is exportable worldwide,” Maule said. “We know that we can use these systems and these effectors in any operational environment, not just in Europe but also to defend the homeland through agencies like JIATF South.”
Throughout the exercise, U.S. and Estonian forces worked side by side to test systems and refine procedures.
“The Estonians have been absolutely world-class partners and allies through this entire exercise,” Maule said. “We've done everything in conjunction with them. They've been right there with us every single step of the way. We're very proud to do this with the Estonian Defense Forces.”
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