Microwave and Directed Energy Countermeasures
The US military utilizes high-energy microwave systems to address the challenge of drone swarms, which vary widely in size, speed, and operating methods. Unlike traditional weapons that engage targets individually, microwave systems are designed to potentially counter several drones within a single engagement area simultaneously.
A primary example is the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System High-Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM). In April 2025, Army personnel tested this system alongside Philippine forces during Exercise Balikatan. The testing included a live-fire demonstration against a drone swarm, marking a significant operational evaluation of the technology in a joint environment.
Complementing microwave capabilities, the Navy employs the Optical Dazzling Interdictor (ODIN). This system uses a laser to interfere with the optical sensors of unmanned aircraft rather than destroying targets with projectiles. The Navy has reported seven ODIN installations aboard ships and established a dedicated training program for the technology in 2025.
Kinetic Interceptors and Automated Engagement
For physical interception, the Army has integrated the Coyote interceptor into its defense toolkit. Developed by RTX, the radar-guided system is designed to defeat hostile drones physically and can be integrated into both fixed-site and mobile counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) defenses. The Army awarded RTX a contract for the Coyote system in January 2024.
Another kinetic solution is the Ballistic Low Altitude Drone Engagement (BLADE) system, which adapts existing remotely operated weapon stations to engage small drones. BLADE utilizes automated detection and tracking coupled with a gun-based response. During Project Flytrap 4.0 in Poland in August 2025, soldiers used BLADE mounted on a Stryker vehicle to defeat multiple drones at reported ranges of 500 to 800 meters.
The military is also testing collision-based interceptors such as the Bumblebee V2. This system is designed to collide directly with hostile drones instead of firing a missile or jamming a signal, offering an alternative kinetic approach to neutralization.
Electronic Warfare and Sensor Integration
The Air Force’s Negation of Improvised Non-State Joint Aerial Threats (NINJA) program focuses on electronic warfare. The system uses radio-frequency signals associated with drones and their operators to detect, locate, identify, and help defeat threats. According to a Congressional Research Service report, 99 Air Force locations had installed NINJA as of 2023 testimony.
To shorten the time between detecting a drone and engaging it, the Army has developed the Golden Shield concept. This framework connects sensors, command-and-control software, and defensive weapons into a unified network. In an April 2026 event at Fort Hood, Texas, the Army demonstrated this integration by using an autonomous sensor on one platform to detect and classify a hostile drone, then passing data and an engagement command to a weapon system on another platform.
New Acquisition and Operational Assessments
Expanding its portfolio of counter-drone capabilities, the Army’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awarded Perennial Autonomy a $5.2 million agreement in January 2026. Deliveries for this contract are scheduled to begin in March.
The Army’s Global Response Force is also involved in evaluating these newer capabilities. This unit is intended to conduct operational assessments and is considered a newer capability under evaluation rather than a universally fielded defense.