Defense

DOD wants innovation to counter drone swarms

The Defense Department is planning a July outreach event to find new solutions from industry that can counter AI-enabled drone swarms over land, sea and air.

Defense

Army wants ideas from industry on autonomous, anti-drone capabilities

Army Futures Command called on industry for white papers outlining potential technology capabilities it will look to deploy as part of its modernization strategy.

Policy

New bill sets federal penalties for drone misuse

The Drone Act of 2022 would set new federal penalties for drone operators who weaponize drones, disrupt emergency operations or use the technology to deliver contraband into prisons.

People

Roper named CEO of drone company Volansi

Will Roper, the former Air Force acquisition chief, has been named CEO of Volansi, a commercial drone manufacturing company.

Digital Government

Army kicks off first major test to thwart small drone attacks

The Army is putting its new counter small drone strategy to the test with its first demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, focusing on how to limit damage when facing direct threats.

Modernization

JADC2 needs to be Pentagon's 'big bet,' Flournoy says

Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, said Joint All Domain Command and Control "needs to be one of the big bets that the Pentagon places" if it wants to be prepared for the future of warfare.

People

Small drones, training could be standard issue for service members

The Defense Department is planning to incorporate drone training for every service member as part of its counter small unmanned aerial systems strategy.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon releases counterdrone strategy

The DOD's strategy to counter small unmanned aircraft systems includes curbing drones used in disruptive cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

Modernization

Navy's aquatic drone plan faces operational hurdles

One Navy leader explained that the technological difficulties are outstripped by the organizational challenges.

Digital Government

FAA presses on anti-UAS testing

The Federal Aviation Administration is advancing testing of anti-drone technology at airports, as federal authorities say rogue unmanned aircraft remain a problem even in the pandemic.

Cybersecurity

FAA to test anti-drone technologies

The Federal Aviation Administration will test commercial drone detection and mitigation systems in real-world civilian airport settings.

Acquisition

Pentagon advances domestic drone plan

The Defense Department names five U.S. vendors for domestic sourcing of small drone aircraft.

Cybersecurity

Agencies warn on drone detection systems

State, local and private sector could run afoul of federal laws if they deploy drone detection and mitigation systems without careful thought, federal agencies say.

Cybersecurity

DHS tests anti-drone tech

The tests by the Border Patrol are designed to gather information about the use of drones by drug smugglers and other criminal organizations at the border and to determine what agents need by way of response.

Digital Government

Lawmakers call on Army to coordinate small-drone defenses

A bipartisan amendment would charge the Army with coordinating defenses against small drones across the Defense Department.

Acquisition

Lawmakers skeptical of seaborne drone fleet

The House defense committee is looking to add some oversight for rapid procurement of unmanned vehicles and vessels, and wants more detailed plans on how the Army will use its newly developed augmented reality headset.

Digital Government

Navy seeks unmanned fleet, but Congress needs convincing

The Navy wants to add more unmanned surface and underwater vehicles to its future fleet, but faces skepticism on Capitol Hill.

Digital Government

FAA looks to the private sector for drone user testing platform

The Federal Aviation Administration is turning to unmanned aircraft manufacturers, retailers and others in the commercial supply chain to help it develop an electronic platform to support a drone owner safety testing capability.

Modernization

DOD wants industry base to close IP theft gaps

The Defense Department is concerned about gaining and keeping a technological edge and is looking to private-sector companies to help seal their capabilities.