The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) continues to support Army transformation by accelerating its safety evaluations of new capabilities.
In April 2026, ATEC’s U.S. Army Operational Evaluation Command (OEC) executed a rapid five-day turnaround on a safety confirmation for the British-built Skyhammer counter-unmanned aircraft (c-UAS) system. This accelerated timeline directly supported a request from the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade (52d ADA BDE) in support of an overseas demonstration that commenced on April 22.
The Skyhammer is designed to neutralize drones and low-speed missiles. The rapid turnaround was an example of how ATEC is significantly streamlining the process for safety evaluations, combining speed with rigor to help put crucial capabilities in Soldiers’ hands faster than ever before.
ATEC’s efforts directly support the brigade’s broader approach to air defense modernization: identifying operational problems from forward-deployed units, pairing them with promising industry solutions, and using Soldier-informed testing to determine whether systems are ready for further evaluation, refinement, or fielding.
Strategic partnership and execution
Karen Mannix, the OEC senior test manager who authored the safety confirmation, emphasized the collaborative effort required to meet the compressed deadline. Mannix received the request from 52d ADA BDE and delivered the final document just five days later. During the process of developing the safety confirmation, Mannix reviewed system manuals and clarified inquiries with their team.
“Navigating the time zone difference between the U.K. and the U.S. presented a logistical challenge that slightly delayed communication,” Mannix explained. “However, through continuous coordination and communication assistance from Tiffany Gutowski, ATEC’s Pathway for Innovation and Technology integrator, we successfully met the operational requirement.”
As the ATEC PIT integrator, Gutowski coordinated safety documentation and test and evaluation planning and execution, providing the expertise necessary to tailor and accelerate this and similar ATEC test and evaluation efforts across the PIT portfolio.
While issuing a safety confirmation in under a week is an exceptional timeline, Mannix attributed the success to her nearly 20 years of test management experience and the vendor’s responsiveness in quickly resolving outstanding questions prior to completion.
Future operations and fielding
An operational assessment for Skyhammer took place June 2026. ATEC participated in the demonstration to do a technical assessment of Skyhammer and to validate the current safety confirmation. Upon successful completion of the assessment, the Skyhammer technology will be considered for potential issuing to Soldiers in U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Central Command.
How ATEC is accelerating the mission
Beyond completing safety confirmations such as Skyhammer in record time, ATEC has undertaken numerous additional efforts to support the Army’s shift toward rapid experimentation and the need to actively manage risk to maximize learning. These efforts include:
- delegating authorities and waiving requirements,
- launching a Common Access Card-enabled central repository for searching safety releases,
- offering extended or no expiration dates for unchanged systems,
- publishing group safety releases for cleared commercial off-the-shelf small UAS,
- and developing graphical training aids to improve hazard mitigation and retention across the force.
As exemplified by the Skyhammer safety confirmation, ATEC remains committed to helping unit commanders make informed risk decisions while driving Army transformation at the speed of relevance.
For inquiries, contact ATECSafetyReleaseSupport@army.mil.
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