U.S. Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Congressional Background and Key Issues

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Department of Defense Counter-UAS Policy and Organizational Structure
4. Department of Defense Counter-UAS Systems
5. Various Counter-UAS Equipment
6. Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (LIDS)
7. Ground-Based Air Defense Systems
8. Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD)
9. Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC)
10. Legislative Activities
11. Potential Congressional Considerations and Key Issues
12. Relevant CRS Report References

Document Introduction

The rapid proliferation and technological advancement of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become a significant security challenge for the U.S. military. Their size, speed, operational flexibility, and low-cost characteristics pose serious technical and operational tests for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The drone attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan in January 2024 further highlighted the urgency of such threats, prompting U.S. policymakers and the DOD to accelerate counter-UAS capability development.

This report systematically reviews the evolution of the DOD's counter-UAS strategy, focusing on the updates and integration of previous policies by the "Counter-Unmanned Systems Strategy" released in December 2024, as well as the core coordinating function of the Army as the executive agent for counter-small UAS. The report details the organizational structure, division of responsibilities of the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO), and the current state of coordination and collaboration among the services in the counter-UAS domain, including personnel allocation, force structure adjustments, and specialized training system development.

At the technical equipment level, the report comprehensively introduces the counter-UAS systems currently deployed and under development by the U.S. military. It covers various types of equipment, including kinetic interceptors (such as the "Coyote" interceptor, "Stinger" missiles and their successors), electronic warfare countermeasures (such as the DRAKE jamming system, NINJA project), and handheld portable devices. It provides an in-depth analysis of the technical characteristics and deployment progress of core platforms such as the Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD), and Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC).

The report also focuses on relevant legislative provisions and funding authorization arrangements in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Defense Appropriations Act, including congressional oversight requirements regarding the DOD's strategic direction, protection of domestic military installations, and technology maturity testing. Addressing key issues such as the types and severity of UAS threats, the efficiency of internal DOD coordination, cost control, and technology maturity, the report presents Congress's core concerns and potential policy options. It serves as an authoritative reference for understanding the strategic dynamics and legislative interplay in the U.S. counter-UAS field.

Based on official DOD documents, congressional hearing records, budget proposals, and related technical assessment reports, this report features detailed data and rigorous analysis. It is an important reference for studying U.S. defense policy, drone warfare, and countermeasure technologies.