Army announces release of DoD counter-small UAS strategy
U.S. Army soldier assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), launches the RQ-11 Raven during platoon live fire exercise at Fort Campbell, Ky., Jan. 25, 2018. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Justin Wright)
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense leadership approved a new strategy to lead and direct Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) activities across the Department. This strategy will provide the framework for addressing sUAS hazards and threats in a variety of operating environments, including the U.S. homeland, host nations and contingency locations.
Adversary UAS represent a rapidly proliferating, low-cost, high-reward asset for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and lethal attacks on U.S. personnel and interests. To lead and direct efforts for identifying and prioritizing joint gaps and C-sUAS solutions, the Defense secretary designated the Army as the DoD executive agent for C-sUAS activities. The Army secretary then established the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) and designated Maj. Gen. Sean A. Gainey as its first director.
The approved DoD C-sUAS strategy emphasizes a new approach that is focused on rapid innovation, synchronization of materiel and non-materiel solutions, and relationships with allies and partners. These strategic objectives will be achieved by working through three lines of effort:
- Ready the Force: Focuses on the development of innovative solutions using a risk-based approach to guide investment in C-sUAS capabilities. This LOE will guide the rapid development of a suite of solutions that addresses emerging DoD requirements.
- Defend the Force: Emphasizes the provision of mission-ready forces that are able to deter and defeat sUAS threats. This can be done through the development of operational concepts and doctrine, establishment of joint training standards and refinement of existing training content.
- Build the Team: Stresses partnership with the national security innovation base, federal and non-federal entities, allies and partners to facilitate rapid development and deployment of effective C-sUAS solutions while maximizing interoperability. Leveraging existing relationships and creating new partnerships will enable innovation, prevent technology gaps, and expand information and security data sharing.
Through the implementation of this strategy, the Department will successfully address the challenge posed by both hazard and threat sUAS operating within the U.S. homeland, in host nations and in contingency locations. Commanders in all of these varied operating environments will have the solutions they need to protect DoD personnel, facilities, assets and missions from both current and future sUAS threats.
