How the Department of War is Responding to Advanced Drone Threats

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has provided global leaders a first-hand look at how modern warfare is conducted, including the significant threat posed by even the smallest, cheapest drones. During the conflict drones have been used for reconnaissance, guiding artillery, and attacking targets. For example, this past summer Ukraine carried out a large-scale coordinated drone assault on Russian air bases that reportedly struck over a third of Russia’s nuclear-capable bombers.

These unprecedented drone attacks have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Department of War (DoW), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who recognize the need to secure American airspace against drone incursions. This August, the Army disbanded the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Task Force (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) in order to establish the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401). The goal for the new office is to better align authorities and resources to deliver C-UAS capabilities to U.S. warfighters to defend the homeland, protect U.S. and allied forces, defend critical infrastructure, and assist federal agencies.

The goal of this report is to further explain why the new task force was deemed necessary, and the responsibilities it will have. To hear directly from members of the newly established JIATF 401, join IDGA at Homeland Security Week set to take place March 17-18 MGM Hotel and Casino, National Harbor, Maryland. The two-day summit will welcome 600+ attendees for two days of keynote briefings, expert panels, and networking opportunities all geared toward the future of homeland security.