US (Washington Insider Magazine) —In June, the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) conducted its most ambitious field demonstration to date at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Over four weeks, the JCO showcased prototype systems developed by various private firms, focusing on their effectiveness against drone threats. This year’s demonstration emphasized countering swarm attacks, featuring a coordinated assault from 50 unmanned aircraft of different types targeting a single objective.
While the JCO continues to analyze data from this extensive exercise, an initial report will be distributed to military services, combatant commanders globally, and the eight participating vendors: Clear Align, Trakka, ICR, ELTA, Teledyne, FLIR, SAIC, ATSC, and Anduril. Col. Michael Parent, chief of acquisitions and resources at the JCO, noted, “No one capability, whether kinetic or non-kinetic, in itself could really just beat this kind of attack profile. What we saw was they really do need a full system of systems approach, a layered approach.” The next JCO field demonstration is tentatively scheduled for early 2025.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Update
In related developments, the head of General Atomics’ aeronautics division informed Breaking Defense that flight tests for the prototype of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program could begin by mid-2025. This announcement follows the Air Force’s decision in April to award the initial phase of the CCA contract to General Atomics and Anduril, bypassing major players like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Both companies will compete to develop uncrewed aircraft designed to engage fighter jets at a significantly lower cost than traditional crewed fighters. While General Atomics is tasked with delivering a limited number of CCAs for testing and development, the Air Force has indicated the possibility of acquiring over 1,000 drones based on its next-generation fighter program plans.
Annual Competition for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is spearheading efforts to incorporate commercial technology, including small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). This November, the DIU will launch an annual competition aimed at fostering innovation within the sUAS sector. Participants will have the opportunity to be included in the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Blue UAS Cleared List, which features platforms and components vetted for security and compliance with U.S. laws and cybersecurity standards.
The competition seeks to keep the Blue List aligned with end-user needs, addressing key issues such as modularity, interoperability, and operational capabilities in contested environments without GPS or reliable electromagnetic spectrum access.
Pentagon Inspector General Reviews Hypersonic Threats
In July, the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) announced an investigation into the military’s capacity to defend against hypersonic threats and the efficacy of the Combined Joint All Forces Command and Control (CJADC2) initiative. The IG’s evaluation will assess the DoD’s ability to use existing U.S. weapon systems for hypersonic missile defense amid rising concerns over advancements made by adversaries like China and Russia.
The investigation will also scrutinize CJADC2’s effectiveness in modernizing information-sharing among mission partners.
INDOPACOM to Receive Joint Fires Network (JFN)
By the end of 2024, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) will receive a “combat representative” version of the Joint Fires Network (JFN), an initiative under the CJADC2 umbrella. This system aims to enhance command and control capabilities across multiple domains, especially amid growing tensions related to China’s potential military ambitions in Taiwan.
The JFN will match weapons to targets in complex combat scenarios, and continuous upgrades are planned, with JFN 2.0 expected in 2025 to address the evolving demands of military operations.
Conclusion
The recent advancements in military technology and defense initiatives reflect the U.S. Department of Defense’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities against emerging threats. From counter-drone measures to collaborative combat systems and small unmanned aerial systems, these developments underscore a proactive approach to maintaining national security in an increasingly complex global landscape.