US Air Force to acquire DJI drones for security training

The United States Air Force plans to acquire DJI drones for security training exercises at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The base, which operates Minuteman III missiles, intends to use the Chinese-made aircraft to simulate responses to real-world aerial threats, specifically focusing on detection and electronic warfare.

The 90th Contracting Squadron issued a solicitation for several DJI models, including refurbished Mavic 2 Pro quadcopters, Mini 3 Pro drones, and Avata 2 combos. Officials stated that DJI hardware is specifically required because its radio signals and flight systems differ from competitors, providing the most statistically probable threat profile for operators to practice against.

To mitigate security risks associated with the restricted equipment, the drones will be equipped with RIZER software. This program replaces the native firmware to create an isolated system for training purposes. Similar acquisition studies are reportedly being considered at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.