Pentagon unprepared for drone swarm attacks with China outpacing U.S. development, report warns

U.S. forces are vulnerable to drone swarms due to insufficient scale and urgency in efforts to meet the demand for affordable, precise drone and counter-drone systems, a new report says. Here’s what you need to know about America’s drone defense vulnerabilities:

The vulnerability assessment

Think tank warns of U.S. drone defense gaps:

• Researchers at Center for a New American Security acknowledged Department of Defense’s efforts to improve drone capabilities over past decade, but said it has not been enough
• While Pentagon has invested in drone and counter-drone systems, lack of urgency has let U.S. rivals take lead, they said Wednesday in report
• China has far outpaced U.S. in development and production, report says
• Without rapid development and production, U.S. forces are at risk of being overwhelmed in potential conflict with China

The Taiwan conflict scenario

Report warns of Chinese drone superiority in potential war:

• “Without deep magazines of substantially enhanced counter-drone capabilities, the United States risks having its distributed warfighting strategies overwhelmed by massed Chinese drone attacks, and the United States could lose a war over Taiwan,” report reads
• In battle over Taiwan, U.S. forces would need to counter increasingly drone-reliant China
• People’s Liberation Army has long considered drones to be integral part of its military apparatus and has launched significant investment programs
• In 2024, China ordered 1 million kamikaze drones to be manufactured by 2026 and has continued to invest in research and development

The training deficiency

Jordan attack highlights inadequate preparation:

• Report cites January 2024 incident in which Iranian-made Shahed-101 kamikaze drone struck containerized housing unit structure on Jordan-Syria border
• Attack killed three U.S. soldiers and injured 40
• Final analysis said U.S. forces had detected drone long before it struck building, but failed to investigate and ultimately dismissed it as “possibly birds or trash”
• Researchers said disaster can strike for lack of proper training

The technology recommendations

Report advocates for advanced counter-drone systems:

• Pentagon must focus on emerging technologies to ensure its rivals don’t dominate battlefield
• Researchers specifically point to high-powered microwaves and high-resolution passive sensors as future of counter-drone defenses
• Army and Air Force have deployed two microwave systems aimed at countering drone swarms
• Unveiled in 2020, Army’s Epirus Leonidas can be deployed against specific vehicles or large swaths of drones using electromagnetic pulse beams

The tactical approach debate

Electronic warfare versus kinetic interceptors:

• Defense experts have increasingly advocated for advancement of electronic warfare systems like Leonidas over traditional, kinetic means due to their reliability in countering swarms
• However, report says U.S. should still procure large stockpiles of high-volume, short-range kinetic interceptors due to their reliability in combat
• Report provides numerous recommendations emphasizing investments in new and emerging technologies while enhancing training and integration
• Specifically advocates for increased counter-drone training across all armed forces, ensuring that all troops can defend themselves against emerging threat

The prevention measures

Report suggests comprehensive improvements:

• To prevent future tragedies, report suggests improving drone sensors, increasing automation in decision-making and conducting realistic prototype testing
• Additional training recommended beyond technological upgrades
• Emphasis on ensuring all military personnel can respond to drone threats effectively
• Integration of multiple defense systems and approaches

The global battlefield context

Modern conflicts demonstrate drone warfare importance:

• Report comes as drones have emerged as key weapon on modern battlefield
• Drones have become invaluable tools for Russia and Ukraine, with both sides launching massive swarms across their border
• Russia’s drone incursions have also spread outside of Ukraine
• Several Russian drones entered Polish airspace this week, prompting response from NATO forces

The international response

NATO condemns Russian drone violations:

• Alliance members condemned the move of Russian drones entering Polish airspace
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte denounced Russia’s behavior as “reckless”
• Incidents demonstrate how drone warfare extends beyond primary conflict zones
• International implications of drone proliferation affecting alliance security

Read more:

• Pentagon ’unprepared’ to defend against emerging drone warfare: Report