Matt Ross Archives

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Ives, 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron defender, pilots a drone during an X4 and SMASH 2000L Systems Firing Qualification at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center’s North Training Area, Wyoming, May 15, 2026. The drone carried balloon targets to help operators practice acquiring, tracking and engaging simulated aerial threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

One year in, America’s counter-drone task force still has ‘a ton of work to do’

JIATF-401 leaders met to discuss inroads made and what’s next as pressure mounts to mitigate domestic UAS threats.

Aug 24, 2026 By Brandi Vincent Lindsey Wilkinson

U.S. Air Force Airmen attach balloons to a drone during at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center’s North Training Area, Wyoming, May 15, 2026. The balloons served as aerial targets, allowing defenders to simulate engagements against small unmanned aircraft systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

U.S. military to host directed energy ‘shoot-off’ amid governmentwide counter-drone push

Officials leading the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 shared new details about that pilot program and other updates on recent progress.

Aug 21, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

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)

Pentagon counter-drone task force announces pilot program to get directed energy systems to 5 installations

"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."

May 8, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

The DJI Mavic 3 drone flies in the air at Summit Point Training Facility, West Virginia, Feb. 24, 2026. (Photo by U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Maria Grace)

Pentagon counter-drone task force issues guidance on testing, federal surveillance laws

Its guidance for uniform, data-backed testing and an acknowledgment of privacy protections related to UAS employment in the U.S. comes amid keen public interest over counter-drone systems,…

Mar 10, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

A view of the entrance of White Sands Missile Range where Trinity test site is located, near White Sands, New Mexico on February 21, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon, FAA to test counter-drone laser weapon in New Mexico

The announcement comes after lawmakers from both parties criticized interagency coordination over the use of domestic counter-drone technology in the wake of back-to-back incidents in Texas last…

Mar 6, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Fragments of Shahed drones are found at the sites of Russian strikes in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on September 19, 2025 (Photo by Viacheslav Madiievskyi/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images).

Pentagon’s counter-drone task force visited Kyiv before joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran to see how Ukrainians fight UAS

“I did go to Ukraine, and I went to understand the technology that they’re using to protect their sites and their people from the threat of unmanned…

Mar 5, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

C-sUAS demonstration at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground. (Photo by Mark Schauer)

Pentagon wants ‘low-collateral’ drone interceptors at all U.S. military installations, task force director says

“I see us using low-collateral kinetic interceptors at all installations in the homeland,” Brig. Gen. Matt Ross told reporters.

Jan 28, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence