Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a classified strategy unifying the Defense Department's counter-drone efforts earlier this week, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a briefing Thursday.
The strategy looks at DOD’s counter-unmanned aerial systems approach through a multidomain lens that spans across characteristics and timeframes, according to Ryder.
“With this singular strategy for countering unmanned systems, in conjunction with other major DOD initiatives like the Joint Counter-Small UAS Office and Replicator 2, the DOD is orienting around a common understanding of the challenge and a comprehensive approach to addressing it,” the Pentagon spokesperson told reporters.
Ryder broke the overall approach down into three parts -- the first focused on ensuring the department is “prepared to conduct” counter-unmanned system operations.
The second will evaluate responses to drone incursions “by pulling together subject-matter experts and resources,” and the third will focus on tracking counter-drone equipment, according to Ryder.
“It enables the department to approach this in a way that’s comprehensive, cohesive and holistic,” he said.
The announcement comes nearly three months after Austin’s September memo revealing the secretive Replicator program would turn its attention in its second iteration toward capabilities to counter small drones.
Ryder also emphasized Austin’s continued commitment as defense secretary toward counter-drone efforts in the Pentagon.
“Throughout his tenure, Secretary Austin has prioritized the development and rapid fielding of capabilities to counter the urgent and growing threat posed by unmanned systems,” he said.
The Pentagon press secretary told reporters that while the strategy itself remains classified, DOD will provide an unclassified fact sheet on the approach.