U.S. Army explores drone technology for battlefield deception and defense

The U.S. Army is advancing new capabilities to counter and utilize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the battlefield. Through Project Flytrap, forces in Europe have been experimenting with counter-drone tactics and procedures to better understand how uncrewed systems can shape combat environments.

Army Col. Timothy Price, head of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, noted that uncrewed platforms offer new opportunities for deceiving opponents. These developments come as the threat from small unmanned aircraft systems (s-UAS) evolves from being primarily a state-actor concern to one involving transnational criminal organizations, terrorists, and lone actors.

To address these shifting risks, the Department of Homeland Security has established a new Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This office will oversee strategic investments to outpace evolving drone tactics. Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued guidance on identifying threats and pre-incident indicators to protect against UAV-related risks to critical infrastructure.