Anthony Kavanaugh, left, a drone operator with a U.S. Army Unmanned Aerial Systems Mission Assurance team, operates a small-UAS while Ari Snipes, right, a drone operator with a U.S. Army UASMA team, prepares a s-UAS at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., April 23, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)
"There is no 'silver bullet' to address this challenge," said the task force director. "And this pilot program integrates cutting-edge technology into the department's broader counter-drone toolkit."
A VBAT unmanned aerial system takes off from the flight deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) during counter-small UAS training in the Pacific Ocean, April 4, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luke Rodriguez)
Hung Cao, then-undersecretary of the Navy, meets with Capt. John Frye, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Base Guam, Feb. 23, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Rey Rabara)
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Richard Tofte, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, observes impacts during a live fire platoon attack on range 410 Alpha as part of Service Level Training Exercise 2-26 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 9, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)
While details about what the lanes will look like and which counter-UAS systems Marines will employ are scant, the announcement of upcoming training comes as the service…
U.S. East coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) conduct dive operations to increase maritime lethality during training off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, Feb. 18, 2025. Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world’s most lethal maritime special operation forces to ensure the United States will deter and win wars. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Katie Cox)
Team members from the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, and Water Mapping experts get underway for advanced drone training with the USCG Cutter Blackfin, off the Santa Barbara coast, July 25, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard B. Uranga).
“Most of the interest is domestic," an official said. "It is the World Cup sites, it is domestically-hosted events that are nationally significant security events.”
Drones stand by prior to a training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, April 15, 2026. The Multi-Functional Strike Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment “Garryowen”, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, participated in the training as part of the Pegasus Charge and Ironhorse Rebirth initiatives, allowing the unit to test new equipment and validate their formations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)
An FPV drone assembly during the Operator Drone Basic Course at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Jan. 21, 2026. In the course’s foundational week, students with zero prior experience build drones from the frame up—including carbon fiber arms, flight controllers, ESCs, wiring, and hardware—learning troubleshooting and repair to enhance precision strike, reconnaissance, and counter-UAS capabilities while minimizing risk to operators on future battlefields. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jacob Bradford)
“State and local and federal law enforcement officers across the country can purchase from this site. We’ve already had purchases,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Aguilar, members of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and the Federal Aviation Administration, and key leaders from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., support a high-energy laser test using the AMP-HEL system March 7, 2026. (Courtesy Photo)
“Following a thorough, data-informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.
