The U.S. Military is taking steps to train service members to neutralize the increasing threat posed by drones on the battlefield. At Fort Sill, service members are undergoing counter-drone training at the Joint C-sUAS University, also known as “drone university.” This program is a critical part of the Military’s efforts to combat the growing use of unmanned aerial systems by adversaries. The training includes real-life scenarios and advanced weapons to help Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen defend against enemy drone threats, with a focus on providing rigorous training similar to real-world situations. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown the growing role of drone warfare, prompting the U.S. military to integrate cost-effective training methods, such as using balloons instead of drones for target practice and 3D-printed drone replicas for realistic training experiences.
Col. Moseph Sauda, the director of the counter-drone training program at Fort Sill, emphasizes the importance of preparing and training the joint force to counter the drone threat effectively. The program aims to help service members understand how drones operate, how they attack, and how to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter them. By employing various capabilities and technologies, service members are exposed to different scenarios they might face in a contested environment, allowing them to engage with threats in real-time environments. With adversaries using drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and direct attacks, the U.S. military is prioritizing the training of service members to stay ahead of these threats.
To provide realistic training without high costs, the program at Fort Sill utilizes balloons instead of drones for target practice and 3D-printed drone replicas that allow for repeated use and modifications. This cost-effective approach enables service members to gain a realistic experience while minimizing expenses, with a 91% reduction in costs compared to traditional methods. Saudi emphasizes the importance of having the right people and expertise on the ground to respond effectively to drone threats, highlighting the significant investment in personnel and funding to address this issue. As drone technology continues to evolve, the military is focused on ensuring that service members are well-prepared to defend against airborne threats on the battlefield.
The U.S. military is working to integrate various training methods and technologies to prepare service members to effectively counter the threat posed by drones. By simulating real-life scenarios and providing immersive exercises, service members are trained to defend against enemy drone threats in a realistic and rigorous manner. The program at Fort Sill focuses on exposing service members to different scenarios they may face in combat, ensuring they are prepared to engage with threats in real-time environments. With recent conflicts highlighting the growing role of drone warfare, the military is continuously evolving its training methods to stay ahead of adversaries using drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and direct attacks.
As adversaries continue to utilize drones for various purposes on the battlefield, the U.S. military is committed to addressing this evolving threat. By investing in training programs like the one at Fort Sill, service members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to counter enemy drone threats effectively. Through the use of cost-effective training methods and advanced technologies, service members are exposed to realistic scenarios and provided with the tools to defend against airborne threats. With a focus on having the right people and expertise on the ground, the military is working to ensure that service members are ready to respond to drone threats in combat situations.
