U.S. DoD Signs New ‘Classified’ Strategy to Counter Ai-enabled Unmanned Systems

The U.S. Defense Department has announced that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has signed a new classified strategy aimed at countering the growing threat posed by unmanned systems, including drones.

This move comes as unmanned technologies continue to increase in capability, presenting escalating risks to U.S. personnel, facilities, and assets both abroad and within the U.S. homeland, the Pentagon said.

According to an unclassified fact sheet, these unmanned systems, empowered by advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomy, and networking technology, are reshaping how both state and non-state actors achieve military objectives. This growing trend is transforming modern warfare and altering the threat landscape.

The new strategy, which builds on previous initiatives such as the establishment of the Joint Counter-Small UAS Office, is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen U.S. capabilities in responding to these emerging threats. The Pentagon aims to improve the ability of U.S. forces to detect, track, and characterize unmanned systems, while also integrating countermeasures into existing military frameworks.

Additionally, the Defense Department plans to expedite the development of adaptable counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions and collaborate more closely with U.S. allies. The strategy also acknowledges the cost imbalance between the relatively low cost of deploying unmanned systems and the high costs associated with defeating them, committing to addressing this disparity.