Drones

News, explainers, and analysis about military drones.

Latest in Drones

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground recently tested the GRIZZLY vertical launcher for use with the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), following on previous institutional knowledge testing the launcher’s use with the Hellfire missile.

The Army’s latest anti-drone tool fires missiles from a cargo container

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jun 7, 2026

A Grasshopper autonomous aerial resupply vehicle arrives at a landing zone during Exercise Trojan Footprint 26 near Krivolak, North Macedonia, May 18, 2026. Trojan Footprint is a key biennial training event, focused on posturing Allies to deter aggression and defend regional security through joint and multinational cooperation. The Grasshopper system is an aerial platform designed to expand long-range, low-cost, precision sustainment in contested environments. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)

Green Berets tested glider drones for supply drops during a massive special operations exercise

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 26, 2026

A US marine from Regimental Combat Team-8 walks between accommodation tents at Forward Operating Base Delaram in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan on April 4, 2011. Around 140,000 foreign troops are deployed in Afghanistan within the UN-mandated, NATO-led, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US-led coalition Operation Enduring Freedom, which overthrew the Taliban in late 2001. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Drones could mean the end of sprawling bases seen during Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 19, 2026

Spc. Brandon Mack, a small unmanned aircraft system operator assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Combat Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, looks through his SMASH 2000L optic, a counter-sUAS tracking scope developed by SMARTSHOOTER, during rotation 26-02 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, Nov. 2, 2025. The rotation marks the first armored Transforming in Contact (TiC) 2.0 combat training center rotation, where new concepts and emerging capabilities were tested in realistic, contested scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Julian A. Winston)

Army orders rifle-mounted smart scopes to down small drones

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 15, 2026

The LOCUST directed-energy system was deployed to the southern border earlier this year, and tested at White Sands Missile Range. AeroVironment Inc. photo.

Pentagon names five bases that will get anti-drone energy weapons

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 8, 2026

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Taylor Britain, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team leader with the 74th EOD Company, conducts pre-flight checks for the 25th Infantry Division Kestrel First-Person View (FPV) drone during a First-Person View (FPV) drone live-fire exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 17, 2025. Britain developed the firing system, including a mechanical and electronic safety feature on the Kestrel FPV drone. The United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) will conduct Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Rotation 26-01 from Oct. 28 to Nov. 16, 2025, in and around the Hawaiian island chain. This exercise is designed to validate the combat readiness of the 3rd Mobile Brigade (3MBDE), 25th Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), and the 125th Division Signal Battalion in a joint, multinational, multi-domain training environment. JPMRC 26-01 will integrate U.S. forces, multinational partners, and joint capabilities to train tactics, techniques, and procedures required to dominate jungle and archipelagic terrain during large-scale combat operations. The exercise underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to ensuring regional security and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duke Edwards)

Pentagon’s drone strategy calls for putting $54 billion DAWG in the fight

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

A Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle assigned to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds a steady overwatch position with a mounted remote operated .50-caliber machine gun during a combat simulation exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 13, 2026.. The Hunter Wolf platform has been selected by the U.S. Army for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)

The Army wants an unmanned ground vehicle to evacuate wounded and resupply the front line

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

U.S. Army Private First Class Ajryan Scales , assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps Signal Detachment, trains and familiarizes with the 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round to defeat small unmanned aerial systems at Oak Grove Training Center, N.C., April 9, 2026. The training offered units the chance to build proficiency and familiarize Soldiers with techniques to engage and defeat sUAS while rapidly advancing operational capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alexis Fischer)

Soldiers with the XVIII Airborne Corps are training with anti-drone rounds

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

Members of the 163d Attack Wing pilot an MQ-9 Reaper taxing down the runway after returning home from a milestone mission to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, February 15th, 2024. The mission marked the first ever MQ-9 to grace the runway at Shaw AFB. This one of many examples of how the 163d ATKW is pushing innovation and the MQ-9 platform to new heights.

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, conduct pre-flight operations on an MQ-9 Reaper aircraft during exercise Sentry South 26-2 in Gulfport, Mississippi, March 3, 2026. Sentry South 26-2 is a large force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities in a contested or degraded operational environment. Sentry South 26-2 applies joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic and robust enemy integrated threat systems, all while under safe and controlled conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan McCrink)

Air Force reactivates Reaper drone squadron at Nevada base

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

An MQ-9 Reaper taxis on the runway after landing in support of Freedom Flag 24-1 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. Freedom Flag 24-1 is an advanced, large-scale tactical exercise between the U.S. and allied partners dedicated to the protection of regional peace and stability through the adaptation of novel and collaborative training methods, ensuring readiness against a wide range of threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maria Umanzor Guzman)

The Reaper just won’t quit: Try as they might, the military can’t ditch the MQ-9

By Kyle Gunn, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 16, 2026

Image: U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Nov. 23, 2025) Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)

Iran strike marks first time US used new one-way attack drones in combat

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 1, 2026

U.S. Army Spc. Israel Arreguin with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 759th Military Police Battalion, assigned to Joint Task Force - Southern Border and a Border Patrol agent conduct detection and monitoring operations from an observation post near Wellton, Ariz., April 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force – Southern Border aligns efforts to seal the southern border and repel illegal activity and is responsible for full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations, which will allow for more effective and efficient DoD operations. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Erica Esterly)

Military shoots down Customs and Border Protection drone with a laser

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

Image: A Soldier assigned to 1st Cavalry Division maneuvers a drone on the Hunter/Killer Lane during the U.S.Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition on Feb. 18, 2026, in Huntsville, Ala. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers began competing for the top warfighter while showcasing their agility, adaptability, and lethality as they adapt to the evolving modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)

The Army crowns the winners of its first drone competition

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Feb 22, 2026

An AH-64E Apache crew, assigned to 1-3 Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, prepares to engage during aerial gunnery training at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 2, 2025. Gunnery qualifications are a cornerstone of their ability to provide a lethal and credible aviation force to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, essential for maintaining the combat readiness and lethality of 1-3 Attack Battalion. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Josefina Garcia)

Army successfully tests Apache with new ammunition meant to shred drone swarms

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Feb 17, 2026