The 2nd Marine Regiment relied on the system’s vendor to employ the drone because the unit lacked trained operators.

Primary “targets of interest” that the service might want to zap include aerial and maritime drones.

Anduril believes Thunder could serve as a loyal wingman platform for the Army's helicopter fleet, including the AH-64 Apache and the next-gen MV-75 Cheyenne II.

“If we can’t do something about the enemy’s UAS and do it rapidly, then we’re not going to be successful at continuing to maneuver,” one commander said.

“We’re one step closer to delivering capabilities to the warfighter,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said in a statement.

In an exclusive interview with DefenseScoop, Owen West shared new details about his vision to reshape DIU’s operational structure to fit its modern mission.

Officials said it will include a range complex, “drone academy” and technology center to develop, test and evaluate new capabilities, specifically low-cost, scalable equipment.

The initiative aims to speed the delivery of new tech to the services and combatant commands.

The robotic platforms, which are built by Saronic, were recently employed in an attack against Iran for the first time.

DARPA’s Lift Challenge is scheduled to take place Aug. 2-9 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.