The US Air Force is working on its drone defenses, starting with AI and ending with shotguns
Airmen learned how to use artificial intelligence systems to scan the skies for drones and engage threats.
The US Air Force is developing its defenses against uncrewed aerial systems, or drones, by incorporating artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and shotguns into layered protection strategies. Airmen have been testing and refining these multi-faceted defenses through simulated exercises, highlighting the military's emphasis on a diverse array of kinetic and non-kinetic systems to counter drones.
Employing AI systems, US Air Force personnel have been trained to detect drones while excluding non-threats, such as birds and aircraft. Electronic warfare and shotguns were added as supplementary layers of protection. During a recent exercise, personnel practiced using AI detection systems, electronic warfare disruption, and shotguns as a final line of defense.
The layered defense approach to countering drones emphasizes the use of both non-kinetic and kinetic means to neutralize them, including shotguns as the ultimate option. The US Air Force aims to continue refining these tactics through ongoing training exercises and sharing lessons learned among different branches of service. As Western militaries grapple with the challenges of countering drones, the Pentagon-led counter-drone task force has introduced a new online catalog to facilitate the acquisition of validated systems for various military, federal government, and law enforcement personnel.
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