New US counter-drone strategy pledges increased understanding and faster deployment

United States Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has signed a new, classified strategy for countering the effects of uncrewed systems.

According to an unclassified fact sheet released by the Department of Defense (DoD), uncrewed systems are increasing in capability and are posing ever-increasing threats to the US and its allies. 

“Enabled by growing commercial innovation and the increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, autonomy and networking technology, unmanned systems are fundamentally changing how militaries of all sizes, capacities, and capabilities — as well as non-state actors — achieve their objectives,” the fact sheet says. 

The new strategy strengthens efforts already underway by the department to deal with the growing threat, including the standup of the Joint Counter-Small UAS Office, the establishment of the Warfighter Senior Integration Group, and the launch of the Replicator 2 initiative meant to defend against threats posed by small aerial systems. 

“Unmanned systems, more commonly known as drones, have the potential to pose both an urgent and enduring threat to US personnel, facilities and assets overseas and increasingly in the US homeland,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. “The threats presented by these systems are changing how wars are fought. With this singular strategy for countering unmanned systems, in conjunction with other major DoD initiatives … the DoD is orienting around a common understanding of the challenge and a comprehensive approach to addressing it.” 

The new strategy is classified, but the associated unclassified fact sheet reveals some of the efforts the department plans to take as part of that strategy. 

One effort involves gaining a better understanding of the threats posed by uncrewed systems and improving the ability of US forces to detect, track and characterise those threats. 

Another aspect of the strategy is to build counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) efforts and knowledge into existing US military doctrine, organisation, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities and policy. 

Through the strategy, the department also commits to delivering adaptable C-UAS solutions more quickly and at scale, including by working more closely with US partners and allies. 

Of note also is that the department, within the strategy, recognises the vast difference between the low cost of developing and deploying uncrewed systems and the high cost the US currently spends to defeat those systems. The department says it is committed to reducing the imbalance.