The US will demonstrate technology that can neutralise a large swarm of enemy drones simultaneously

The U.S. Department of Defence's 2019 UAV Countermeasures Directorate is working on technology that could neutralise large groups of enemy drones.

Here's What We Know

The popularity of drones on the battlefield is growing at a tremendous rate. According to the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank, Ukraine is losing 10,000 drones every month in the war against Russia. FPV drones for less than $1,000 can destroy military equipment worth millions of dollars.

The appearance on the battlefield of a swarm of drones capable of flying in a coordinated manner is a major threat, according to the U.S. military. Therefore, the US Department of Defence is looking for ways to counter it.

To do so, it needs to have a sufficient number of interceptors. These are not necessarily anti-aircraft missiles. Electronic warfare capabilities and kinetic interceptors, including 30mm guns, can be used to counter drones.

The Pentagon's Office of Drone Countermeasures is entirely focused on building drone neutralisation capabilities. It conducted four demonstrations from spring 2021 to summer 2023.

The first test was aimed at testing the capabilities of low collateral damage interceptors. The last test took place at a test range in Arizona and aimed to counter kamikaze strike drones. A fifth test, which will show the ability to neutralise a swarm of UAVs, is scheduled for June 2024.

Source: Defence News