DOD establishes new counter-drone group

The Defense Department has established a new “warfighter senior integration group” to focus on the “urgent and growing threat posed by uncrewed weapon systems,” according to chief Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Ryder told reporters at a press briefing today that the new group will “bring together the department’s senior-most leaders to drive solutions that support our warfighters throughout our combatant commands.”

Establishing the group, Ryder said, will focus the “cross-department attention and speed the threat now demands.” The SIG, he said, intends to “identify needed capabilities and associated solution” to focus on near-term threats posed by drones.

The Pentagon intends to provide additional details about the group’s work in the coming months.

Pentagon acquisition chief Bill LaPlante said Thursday that he predicts a massive surge in counter-drone investments in the coming years, noting that he wants to move about half of the department's approximately 40 counter-drone prototypes into production as soon as possible.