Is the Pentagon’s $800 million counter-drone initiative enough to tackle the growing drone threat? Newly formed joint task force is charting a path to address this burgeoning concern.
Pentagon’s Unified Counter-Drone Effort Underway
The Pentagon is launching a new interagency task force to address the growing threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The task force is part of a broader strategy to enhance U.S. defense capabilities against drone attacks, with an anticipated funding request of $800 million for fiscal 2026.
This initiative is a critical step in response to recognized vulnerabilities exposed during the conflict in Ukraine. Army Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. James Mingus, emphasized the need for urgency, recalling how IED threats were swiftly addressed in past conflicts.
Joint Task Force to Advance Defense Mechanics
The new task force led by the Army aims to combine electromagnetic and kinetic defense strategies across military branches. The Defense Department seeks to develop scalable and affordable counter-UAS systems that can be integrated into smaller military units.
Pentagon sets up interservice counter-drone task force
The Army will lead the new group, which will try to coordinate the different service branches' efforts to develop ways to take out enemy uncrewed vehicles.
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The Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office, established in 2020, is already integrating artificial intelligence into defense operations. This newly unified approach promises to bridge interagency gaps and accelerate the deployment of efficient countermeasures.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Implementations
The Pentagon’s strategy also seeks partnerships with Congress, industry leaders, and international allies to strengthen collective counter-UAS efforts. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s approved strategy aims to establish clear metrics for tracking progress and outcomes.
'The US Army will lead the new group'
“Different branches of the armed forces have been working to integrate electromagnetic and kinetic countermeasures into their units and arsenals, with varying stages of progress.”
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“We need an organization that is joint, interagency, has authorities, a colorless pot of money, and the authorities to go after, from requirements all the way through acquisition,” stated Gen. James Mingus.
The task force is crucial to address the evolving nature of drone threats, ensuring that the U.S. maintains robust defense capabilities well into the future.
Sources:
Countering Small Drones: Office Works Toward Joint Solutions to Growing Threat | AUSA
Pentagon green-lights counter-drone strategy amid ‘urgent’ threat