The US Army has recently highlighted its advancements in counter-drone technology with the demonstration of the Dronebuster portable counter-unmanned aerial system (c-UAS) during the Eager Lion 2024 military exercise in Jordan. This exercise, which involved military personnel from over 30 nations, provided a global stage for showcasing the capabilities of the Dronebuster, developed by American startup Flex Force.
The Dronebuster, a shoulder-fired, rifle-like device, neutralizes hostile drones by disrupting their control frequencies and GPS signals. This system effectively forces drones to abandon their missions, leading to either a return to the operator or an inevitable crash.
During the Eager Lion 2024 exercise, American soldiers illustrated the Dronebuster’s operational utility by targeting and neutralizing a representative hostile drone. The demonstration emphasized the precision and efficacy of the weapon in active conflict scenarios, thereby providing critical insights to the multinational audience.
The Dronebuster’s configurations, Block 3 and Block 3B, offer significant versatility. Block 3 is optimized for line-of-sight operations, whereas Block 3B supports beyond-line-of-sight targeting capabilities, enhancing operational flexibility. Despite their compact and lightweight design—Block 3 measuring 21 x 6.5 x 11 inches and weighing 4.1 pounds, and Block 3B at 22 x 5.5 x 10.5 inches and 6.4 pounds—these systems boast substantial functionality. They can perform up to three hours of jamming and over ten hours of drone detection, representing a balanced combination of offensive and surveillance capabilities.
One of the Dronebuster’s significant advantages is its compatibility with NATO-standard batteries, ensuring seamless integration within existing military infrastructure. This compatibility reduces logistical complexities and supports rapid deployment across various operational theaters. According to Flex Force, even untrained personnel can achieve basic operational proficiency within minutes, further enhancing the system’s appeal for diverse military applications.
In addition to its showcase in the Middle East, the US Army also tested the Dronebuster in Boleslawiec, Poland. This deployment aimed to evaluate the system’s suitability for European theater operations, particularly in response to the heightened drone threats posed by adversarial forces. The trials, part of a broader initiative to enhance counter-drone readiness, included classroom sessions and hands-on demonstrations led by specialists from the 1st Cavalry Division.
C-UAS Mobile Training Specialist Brien Conner emphasized the importance of such training: “We’re trying to improve the capabilities and readiness of this unit, in terms of being prepared for the drone threat that’s now prevalent on the battlefield.”
Since its initial deployment, the Dronebuster has become a cornerstone in the arsenal of the US and its allies, with over 1,000 systems delivered. Its proven effectiveness in various operational environments underscores its critical role in modern warfare. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Benjamin Richards of the 1st Cavalry Division highlighted the importance of early training and familiarization: “To get ahead and start training and educating our soldiers on how to operate the Dronebuster or mitigate drone threats, I thought it was a good idea to reach out early-on while we are still getting embedded within this region.”
Relevant articles:
– US Army Tests Portable ‘Dronebuster’ in Middle East , The Defense Post, 05/23/2024
– Photos: US Army tests Terminator gun-like Dronebusters to jam UAVs, Interesting Engineering, 05/22/2024
– US Army Tests Dronebuster for European Theater Applications in Poland, The Defense Post, 05/21/2024
– California Startup Demos Counter-Drone System for DoD Stakeholders, The Defense Post, 05/22/2024
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