FIGHTING BACK AGAINST UAS

A widening range of methods are being fielded to take down UAS depending on their size.

- Stephen W. Miller

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) offer new threats as well as new capabilities to the military. At least 95 countries and groups have versions of UAS ranging from the sophisticated and expensive systems designed to fly at extreme altitudes for extended periods down to the simple and inexpensive hobby-type systems. The latter, referred to as Groups I and II (those under 55kg), range from those small enough to fit in the palm of the hand to larger ones weighing a few kilograms with limited payload range and endurance that are locally controlled.

These readily available UAS platforms are proliferating rapidly creating challenges both on the home front and over all areas where the military operates, from the battlefield to rear support and logistics areas. Colonel David E. Shank, Commandant of the US Army Air Defence Center and School explains: “The UAS adds a new dimension to the aerial battle. The Group I and II have proven to be particularly adaptable in responding to countermeasures. They have rapidly changed tactics and control mechanisms to reduce vulnerability while still achieving their mission capabilities. As a result developing equally adaptable defeat solutions has been a near term priority.”