U.S. Forces Operating ‘Without Complete Air Superiority’ Due to Small, Armed Drones
April 20, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine
The proliferation of small unmanned aerial systems, usually commercially available drones that can be outfitted to drop weapons, is the most “persistent and dangerous†threat to troops in the Middle East in decades.
“These small- and medium-sized UAS proliferating across the [area of operations] present a new and complex threat to our forces and those of our partners and allies,†U.S. Central Command boss USMC Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. told the House Armed Services Committee on April 20. “For the first time since the Korean War, we are operating without complete air superiority.â€
The counter-UAS effort is a “top priority†for CENTCOM. There are existing air defense and missile defense systems that can track inbound threats, and the command is looking at several systems to counter UAS, but their small size makes that a difficult task.
https://www.airforcemag.com/u-s-forces-operating-without-complete-air-superiority-due-to-small-armed-drones/
