From The Editor | October 24, 2024

The Current State Of Counter Drone Warfare

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By John Oncea, Editor

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In July 2019, unidentified drones swarmed U.S. Navy destroyers off California, prompting high-level investigations. As a result, the military is enhancing drone defense strategies amid ongoing threats.

In July 2019, a series of unusual and concerning events involving unidentified drones occurred around the USS Kidd and other U.S. Navy destroyers off the coast of California. According to The War Zone, these incidents took place over multiple nights and involved multiple ships, raising significant questions about the nature and origin of these mysterious aircraft.

The first sighting occurred on the evening of July 14, 2019, when sailors on the USS Kidd reported two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the vicinity of the ship. This initial encounter, adds NBC News, quickly escalated into a more complex situation:

  • Multiple destroyers were involved, including USS Kidd, USS Rafael Peralta, USS Russell, USS John Finn, and USS Paul Hamilton.
  • As many as six aircraft were reported swarming around the ships simultaneously.
  • The drones demonstrated unusual capabilities, flying for prolonged periods in low-visibility conditions and performing bold maneuvers near the warships.
  • The encounters lasted for extended periods, with one incident continuing for over 90 minutes.
  • The UAVs reportedly matched the destroyers’ speed and maintained their presence despite the ships’ maneuvering.

The Navy took these incidents seriously, ordering the ships into restricted communication modes and engaging in emissions control (EMCON) protocols to enhance security. In addition, SNOOPIE (Ship Nautical Or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Exploitation) teams were deployed to document the unidentified aircraft.

The investigation involved elements of the Navy, Coast Guard, and the FBI. In addition, the Chief of Naval Operations, the highest-ranking officer in the Navy, was briefed on the situation.

Despite the high-level attention and investigation, the source and nature of these drones remain unidentified. As of April 2021, nearly two years after the incidents, the Navy had still not identified the origin of the drones, however the capabilities demonstrated by the UAVs exceed those typically associated with commercially available drones, particularly in terms of flight duration and range.

More recently, Langley Air Force Base in Virginia experienced a series of mysterious drone swarm incidents that lasted for 17 days. These drones were described as being about the size of cars and capable of speeds up to 100 miles per hour, flying at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, reports Global News.

The incidents caught the attention of military officials and lawmakers, were discussed in Congressional hearings, and even reached President Biden. Despite the high-level attention, the Pentagon has not publicly identified the origin or purpose of these drones.

There is speculation about whether these drones could be linked to foreign adversaries or if they might be part of an undisclosed U.S. program. However, their open and persistent presence over a critical military base suggests that they might not be intended for covert surveillance.

The prolonged nature of these drone activities and the lack of clarity regarding their origin have raised significant security concerns, highlighting the challenges posed by advancing drone technology in military airspace.

They also leave us wondering how prepared the military is to deal with new, unconventional threats like these, as well as what kind of strategies might need to be developed to better defend against drone swarms, especially if adversaries are using them to probe our defenses.

The Military’s Drone Defense Strategy

The U.S. military employs a multi-layered approach to defend its troops and bases against drone threats. Among the strategies in use are:

  • Detection and Tracking: Advanced radar and sensor technology is used across military services for early detection of drone threats, according to the Atlantic Council. Various detection methods include electro-optical, infrared, and acoustic sensors, as well as radio signal detection for drone control communications.
  • Kinetic Countermeasures: According to the National Defense University Press, traditional air defense systems are employed, though they may have limitations against smaller drones. The military is investing in the development of cost-effective kinetic countermeasures, such as reusable or attritable drone interceptors. Guns, nets, and other physical interception methods are also used.
  • Non-Kinetic Countermeasures: Electronic warfare techniques are utilized to jam or disrupt drone control signals and GPS navigation. High-powered microwave (HPM) weapons are being tested and developed for potential use against drone swarms. Directed energy weapons, including lasers, are in the development stages.
  • Strategic Approach: The Department of Defense is working on an expanded counter-drone strategy, moving beyond just defensive “right of launch” approaches to include offensive “left-of-launch” capabilities. This strategy aims to disrupt enemy drones before they can take flight, potentially including supply chain disruption and other preemptive measures. The Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) is collaborating with the U.S. Special Operations Command to develop this comprehensive approach.

Current defenses face challenges in dealing with large numbers of drones or swarms. The military is exploring more affordable and reusable solutions to counter the economic advantage of cheap, disposable drones. In addition, there’s a growing focus on developing multilayered defense systems that combine early warning, kinetic, and non-kinetic countermeasures.

Even though legal constraints, particularly for domestic military installations, pose challenges in implementing some counter-drone measures, the U.S. military continues to invest heavily in research and development for counter-drone technologies, recognizing the evolving nature of this threat and the need for adaptive, comprehensive defense strategies.

Operation Hard Kill

Operation Hard Kill, writes Unmanned Airspace, is a significant counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) exercise conducted by the United States Army's 10th Mountain Division in collaboration with the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). This operation, which took place on August 1, 2024, at Fort Drum, NY, showcases the Army's commitment to developing and testing advanced counter-drone technologies.

The primary objective of Operation Hard Kill was to demonstrate the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum's capability to coordinate and execute the use of C-UAS equipment through live-fire exercises. This operation highlights the division’s readiness and responsiveness, leveraging the unique, top-tier training facilities available at Fort Drum. During the exercise, several key technologies and systems were put to the test, including:

  • Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) B system: This system, designed for use on armored vehicles and ships, allows weapon operators to engage targets without leaving the protection of their vehicle.
  • Four-legged unmanned ground vehicle: An innovative platform equipped with an artificial intelligence-enabled rifle, showcasing the integration of AI in combat scenarios.
  • Various counter-UAS equipment: The operation featured a range of systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats.

The event also served as a collaborative platform for the Army and industry partners to work together in developing a comprehensive system for C-UAS training at Fort Drum. This collaboration is crucial for advancing the Army's capabilities in countering the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.

Operation Hard Kill goes beyond mere technology demonstration. It emphasizes the importance of command and control support across different U.S. Army departments, highlighting the need for seamless integration and coordination in addressing complex threats like drone swarms.

The exercise attracted attention from various stakeholders, including soldiers, senior leaders, and industry partners. Their participation underscores the significance of this operation in shaping the future of counter-drone warfare and defense strategies. The timing of Operation Hard Kill is particularly relevant, given the recent incidents discussed earlier.

By conducting exercises like Operation Hard Kill, the U.S. Army is proactively addressing these emerging challenges. The operation not only evaluates the effectiveness of current C-UAS technologies but also provides valuable insights for future developments in this critical area of defense.

The success of Operation Hard Kill reinforces the 10th Mountain Division’s reputation for maintaining ready and responsive forces. It highlights the division’s ability to adapt to evolving threats and leverage innovative technologies to enhance its operational capabilities.

As drone technology continues to advance and proliferate, exercises like Operation Hard Kill will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the U.S. military remains prepared to counter potential threats. The lessons learned and the technologies evaluated during this operation will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing development of more effective and sophisticated counter-drone strategies and systems.