Take a look at at Fort Rucker Marks Milestone in Counter-Drone Growth
The U.S. Military has introduced what it calls its first-ever air-to-air kill by an armed first-person-view (FPV) drone, a step that would affect future counter-unmanned plane methods (C-UAS) technique. In response to an official Military Europe & Africa video launch, the demonstration happened over Fort Rucker (Fort Novosel), Alabama, and concerned the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the Pennsylvania Military Nationwide Guard, and the Fight Capabilities Growth Command Armaments Heart (Mission Shank).
How the Demonstration Labored
Within the take a look at, an FPV quadcopter—recognized in open-source reporting as a SkyRaider platform—carried a Claymore anti-personnel mine as its payload. The drone maneuvered towards a goal drone in flight and detonated the Claymore in shut proximity, destroying the goal.
Military captions word that after detonation the FPV drone briefly misplaced hyperlink however was capable of get better, suggesting the opportunity of reusing such methods in sure eventualities. Whereas kinetic interceptors usually are not new, the mix of low-cost FPV platforms and man-portable munitions provides a possible reply to the “price curve” downside in counter-drone warfare, the place small hostile drones are cheap to subject however pricey to defeat.
Alignment with Military Acquisition Efforts
The demonstration aligns carefully with an Military Speedy Capabilities and Crucial Applied sciences Workplace (RCCTO) request for info (RFI) issued on June 25, 2025. That RFI sought options for Man-Moveable Interceptor Plane—light-weight, rucksack-portable methods able to partaking and destroying small drones (Teams 1–3) past visible vary.
The Military’s curiosity in man-portable interceptors displays an ongoing push throughout the U.S. navy for layered counter-drone capabilities, as documented in latest Congressional Analysis Service briefs. Whereas methods just like the Raytheon Coyote interceptor deal with sure mission profiles, armed FPV drones might fill a spot for dismounted troopers and small models working in distant or austere environments.
Strategic Context
This take a look at comes amid fast innovation in each offensive and defensive unmanned methods. Adversaries have more and more employed small, quick, and expendable drones on the battlefield, forcing militaries to adapt with extra agile, lower-cost countermeasures.
The Military’s Fort Rucker demonstration underscores a rising willingness to discover unconventional platforms and payloads. Whether or not this particular strategy—arming FPV drones with explosive costs—turns into an operational functionality will depend upon additional testing, security evaluations, and integration into doctrine.
Below present U.S. legislation, solely sure federal companies are approved to make use of counter-UAS applied sciences. Civilian operators, together with business drone pilots, are prohibited from utilizing methods that intercept, disable, or destroy drones.
Learn extra:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the business drone house and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand spanking new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E-mail Miriam.
TWITTER:@Spalding barker
Subscribe to DroneLife right here.
