Interoperability Key to Homeland Counter-drone Operations
Interoperability Key to Homeland Counter-drone Operations

The small, unmanned aircraft systems threat to ground forces is a problem that’s “not going anywhere any time soon,” said Maj. Gen. David Stewart, director of the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office. Defending the homeland against the threat of small drones further complicates the issue, he said.
Speaking in an Oct. 14 Warriors Corner presentation at the Association of the U.S. Army's Annual Meeting and Exposition, Stewart and other leaders from the air defense artillery community described the challenges the Army faces from small drones around the globe, but particularly in defending the United States.
“In the wrong hands, they can be used nefariously for surveillance, espionage, smuggling, and even as weapons,” said Brig. Gen. Richard Wholey, deputy commanding general of the South Carolina Army National Guard’s 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
The 263rd AAMDC has the responsibility of defending the continental United States from air and missile attacks, and Wholey described the challenges involved in that mission.
Technologies have advanced rapidly, but “we need to think differently about what’s appropriate for defense of the homeland and what might be the impacts on civilian infrastructure,” Wholey said.
“We get really excited about the ‘M,’ ” said Stewart, referring to “materiel solutions.” But technology isn’t enough, he said. The Army, and the wider U.S. government, must look at doctrinal, organizational and policy changes to address the problem effectively.
Wholey said that the different jurisdictions and authorities of the multiple federal agencies involved, regulatory and privacy issues, and technological barriers preventing interoperability between agencies hamper successful counter-UAS operations within the U.S. This requires the cooperation of policymakers, industry and other stakeholders, he noted.
“We need clear guidelines and potential new legislation to facilitate information sharing,” he said. “Effective information sharing is key. It’s not just about technology, it’s about partnerships. It’s about people.”
Stewart concluded that the answer lies in a “whole-of-nation” response rather than just a “whole-of-government” response. “There’s no silver bullet,” he said.
— Tom McCuin