Russia is giving its armed drones more autonomy, causing the U.S. Army to strengthen its anti-drone and missile systems. Sgt. Maj. Kellen Rowley of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command confirmed that Russia is increasingly using autonomy software in drone attacks. Epirus stated that greater autonomy is a growing trend in Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, with new advancements making the drones immune to jamming and other countermeasures.
The Army is rushing to develop solutions to deal with the evolving drone threats. Maj. Gen. David F. Stewart and Brig. Gen. Patrick Costello discussed the increasing capabilities of adversaries like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea. The Army is adapting to better detect and respond to drone attacks, including testing new munitions to counter maneuvers.
The pressure to enhance drone defenses is leading the Army to adapt quickly to meet the needs of partners. Efforts include sending Iron Dome systems back to Israel and developing new capabilities like the Indirect Fire Protection Capability – High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM). The Army is working on solutions, like the IFPC, to replace older defenses and improve anti-drone capabilities across regions.
Counter-drone defenses present challenges beyond technology, including the bureaucratic burdens of working with partners like NATO. Collaboration across services, the U.S. government, researchers, industry, and partners is crucial for addressing these challenges. Maj. Gen. Stewart emphasized the need for a whole-of-nation approach to counter-drone efforts.
