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Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called
additionally pursue airborne C-UAS options, although the
drones, have proliferated rapidly and are available to nation
status of such efforts is unclear.
states and to nonstate actors and individuals. These systems
could provide U.S. adversaries with a low-cost means of
Figure 1. Man-Portable Counter-UAS Technology
conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
missions against—or attacking—U.S. forces. Furthermore,
many smaller UASs cannot be detected by traditional air
defense systems due to their size, construction material, and
flight altitude. As a result, in FY2021, the Department of
Defense (DOD) plans to spend at least $404 million on
counter-UAS (C-UAS) research and development and at
least $83 million on C-UAS procurement. As DOD
continues to develop, procure, and deploy these systems,
congressional oversight of their use may increase, and
Congress may have to make decisions about future
authorizations, appropriations, and other legislative actions.
C-UAS Technology
C-UAS can employ a number of methods to detect the
Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/01/15/new-
presence of hostile or unauthorized UAS. The first is using
pentagon-team-wil -develop-ways-fight-enemy-drones.html.
electro-optical, infrared, or acoustic sensors to detect a
target by its visual, heat, or sound signatures, respectively.
Navy
A second method is to use radar systems. However, these
methods are not always capable of detecting small UAS due
In 2014, the Navy fielded the first—and, to date, only—
operational directed-energy weapon, the Laser Weapon
to the limited signatures and size of such UAS. A third
method is identifying the wireless signals used to control
System (LaWS), aboard the USS Ponce (LPD-15). LaWS is
the UAS, commonly using radio frequency sensors. These
a 30-kilowatt laser prototype capable of performing a C-
UAS mission. The Navy also plans to deploy ODIN, an
methods can be—and often are—combined to provide a
more effective, layered detection capability.
optical dazzler that interferes with UAS sensors, and
HELIOS, a 60-kilowatt laser, aboard the USS Preble
(DDG-88) in 2021. Both systems are intended to protect
Once detected, the UAS may be engaged or disabled.
Electronic warfare “jamming” can interfere with a UAS’s
U.S. assets from UAS attacks. In addition, in a March 28,
communications link to its operator. Jamming devices can
2019, memorandum, the Department of the Navy
announced that it would be partnering with the Defense
be as light as 5 to 10 pounds and therefore man-portable
Digital Service to “rapidly develop new
(see Figure 1), or as heavy as several hundred pounds and
[cyber-enabled] C-
UAS products to address the evolving UAS threats.”
in fixed locations or mounted on vehicles. UAS can also be
neutralized or destroyed using guns, nets, directed energy,
Marine Corps
traditional air defense systems, or even trained animals such
as eagles. DOD is developing and procuring a number of
The Marine Corps funds a number of C-UAS systems
through its Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) program
different C-UAS technologies to try to ensure a robust
defensive capability.
office. For example, in 2019, the Corps completed overseas
tests of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System
Air Force
(MADIS), which employs jamming and guns. The system
The Air Force is testing high-powered microwaves and
can be mounted on MRZR all-terrain vehicles, Joint Light
lasers—both forms of directed energy—for C-UAS
Tactical Vehicles, and other platforms (see Figure 2). In
July 2019, Marines aboard the USS Boxer (LHD-4) used
missions. For example, in October 2019, the Air Force
received delivery of a vehicle-mounted C-UAS prototype—
MADIS to neutralize an Iranian UAS that was deemed to be
within “threatening range”
the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS)—that
of the ship. As part of GBAD,
the Marine Corps is also procuring the Compact Laser
will undergo a year-long overseas field test. HELWS is
intended to identify and neutralize hostile or unauthorized
Weapons System (CLaWS), the first DOD-approved
UAS in seconds and, when connected to a generator, to
ground-based laser. This system—which reportedly comes
provide “a nearly infinite number of shots.”
in variants of 2-, 5-, and 10-kilowatts—is also in use by the
As stated in its
2016 Small UAS Flight Plan, the Air Force may
Army. Although the Marine Corps has experimented with
man-portable C-UAS technologies, now-Commandant of
the Marine Corps David Berger testified to Congress in
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
2019 that they “have not panned out” due to weight and
In December 2019, DOD streamlined the Department’s
power requirements.
various counter-small UAS (C-sUAS) programs, naming
the Army as the executive agent tasked with overseeing all
Figure 2. Marine Air Defense Integrated System
DOD C-sUAS development efforts. On January 6, 2020,
the Secretary of Defense approved the implementation plan
of the new office, known as the Joint C-sUAS Office
(JCO). Working in consultation with the combatant
commands and the Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, JCO assessed
over 40 fielded C-sUAS systems. To date, it has selected 10
C-sUAS defensive systems and one standardized command
and control system for further development.
According to media reports, JCO has produced a Joint
Capability Development Document outlining operational
requirements for future systems and is finalizing a DOD C-
sUAS strategy; it is to additionally produce a DOD
Directive on C-sUAS and a threat assessment of C-sUAS
Source: https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/PEOs/-PEO-LS/PM-
capabilities. DOD also plans to establish a Joint C-sUAS
GBAD/.
academy at Fort Sill, Oklahoma by FY2024. The academy
Army
is to synchronize training on counter-drone tactics across
the military services.
In July 2016, the Army published a C-UAS strategy to
guide the development of its C-UAS capabilities (to date
Potential Questions for Congress
the only service to do so publicly). This was followed in
Is DOD funding of C-UAS systems appropriately
April 2017 by Army Techniques Publication 3-01.81,
balanced between research and development and
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Techniques, which
outlined “planning considerations for defending against
procurement programs?
low, slow, small [LSS] unmanned air threats during
To what extent, if at all, has the designation of a DOD
operations,” as well as “how to plan for, and incorporate, C-
executive agent for C-UAS reduced redundancies and
UAS soldier tasks into unit training events.” C-UAS is also
increased efficiencies in C-UAS procurement?
part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development
To what extent, if at all, is DOD coordinating with other
Command’s six-layer air and missile defense concept,
departments and organizations, such as the Department
composed of (1) Ballistic, Low-Altitude Drone Engagement
of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and
(BLADE), (2) Multi-Mission High-Energy Laser
the Department of Energy, on C-UAS development and
(MMHEL), (3) Next-Generation Fires Radar, (4) Maneuver
procurement?
Air Defense Technology (MADT), (5) High-Energy Laser
Are any changes to airspace management, operational
Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL-TVD), and (6) Low-
concepts, rules of engagement, or tactics required in
Cost Extended Range Air Defense (LOWER AD).
order to optimize the use of C-UAS systems and/or de-
Although these systems are still in development, the Army
conflict with other U.S. military operations?
has fielded some man-portable, vehicle-mounted, and
airborne C-UAS systems. In addition, like the Navy, it has
To what extent, if at all, is DOD coordinating with the
partnered with the Defense Digital Service to develop
Federal Aviation Administration and international civil
computer-enabled C-UAS products.
aviation authorities to identify and mitigate C-UAS
operational risks to civil aircraft?
DOD-Wide Developments
DOD is researching and developing a number of C-UAS
Related CRS Products
technologies. For example, the Joint Improvised-Threat
Defeat Organization (JIDO), formerly the Joint Improvised
CRS In Focus IF11550, Protecting Against Rogue Drones, by Bart
Explosive Device Defeat Organization, hosted a UAS Hard-
Elias
Kill Challenge in 2017 designed to examine kinetic options
for disabling UAS. Similarly, the Joint Staff and other DOD
Other Resources
agencies have participated in C-UAS efforts such as Black
Arthur Hol and Michel, Counter-Drone Systems, Center for the
Dart, an exercise intended to “[assess and validate] existing
Study of the Drone at Bard Col ege, December 2019.
and emerging air and missile defense capabilities and
concepts specific to the C-UAS mission set” and
“[advocate] for soldiers’ desired C-UAS capabilities.” In
addition, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) funds technology development programs for C-
John R. Hoehn, Analyst in Military Capabilities and
UAS such as CounterSwarmAI, which is to “develop
Programs
systems for anticipating and defeating autonomous systems
Kelley M. Sayler, Analyst in Advanced Technology and
of the future,” and the Multi-Azimuth Defense Fast
Global Security
Intercept Round Engagement System for ship-based point
IF11426
defense.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11426 · VERSION 6 · UPDATED