Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are everywhere these days. Even small actors and non-state groups are using them to challenge global powers.

Such systems threaten U.S. installations and put troops at risk. 

The Department of Defense (DoD) knows this and has a plan: The classified Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems, signed by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on December 2.

Altering the Calculus Of War

Unmanned systems have reshaped conflicts across the world—from Ukraine to the Middle East and even within the U.S. homeland.

Here’s why they’re a problem:

  • Increased surveillance capabilities: Drones make it easier for enemies watch and disrupt U.S. operations .
  • Low cost, High impact: They’re way cheaper to make and deploy compared to traditional weapons.
  • Smarter tech: Advances in AI and autonomy are enabling drones to  work in swarms, communicate better, and carry more sophisticated payloads.

Five Strategic Pillars: The DoD’s New Plan to Counter Drones

The DoD has laid out five key goals to deal with this. Here’s how they plan to do it:

1. . Understand the Enemy

You can’t fight what you don’t understand. The DoD is ramping up efforts to “sense and make sense” of the threat by:

  • Improving threat detection capabilities.
  • Enhancing the ability to track and analyze drone activity.
  • Learning how adversaries deploy and adapt these systems.

2. Disrupt and Degrade Networks

Behind every drone is a network of designers, operators, and financiers. The DoD aims to:

  • Execute deliberate campaigns to dismantle enemy drone networks.
  • Work with U.S. agencies and international allies to shut down supply chains fueling them.

3. Beef Up Defenses at Home and Abroad

From critical installations to deployed forces, the strategy prioritizes robust defenses against drone incursions. This includes:

  • Integrating counter-drone measures into military doctrines and training.
  • Enhancing both active (e.g., interceptors) and passive (e.g., jamming) defenses.
  • Streamlining decision-making processes to improve responsiveness.

4. Accelerate Delivery of Counter-Drone Solutions

Speed is critical in addressing the rapid pace of drone innovation. The DoD’s strategy emphasizes:

  • Rapid acquisition and deployment of counter-drone technologies.
  • Prioritizing modular, scalable solutions to reduce costs.
  • Expanding testing and experimentation to refine tactics and tools.

5. Designing a Future Force Ready for Drone-Driven Warfare

The DoD is looking beyond immediate threats to prepare for the next generation of unmanned systems. This involves:

  • Adapting force structures to counter drone swarms and other advanced capabilities.
  • Exploring emerging technologies that can offset adversary advantages.
  • Rethinking how U.S. forces are deployed and utilized in a drone-centric battlefield.

What This Means for Modern Warfare

Unmanned systems are compressing innovation cycles, speeding up how fast militaries need to adapt.  

Initiatives like the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Office and the Replicator 2 program are part of the Pentagon’s commitment to staying ahead. These efforts focus on:

  • Countering small aerial drones.
  • Protecting critical installations.
  • Ensuring interoperability with allies for a unified defense posture.

Desginating NORTHCOM and INDOPACOM commanders as lead synchronizers for homeland drone defense further consolidates efforts to tackle this growing threat.

The Cost Problem: Fighting Cheap Drones Isn’t Cheap

One of the trickiest issues is cost. It’s easy for enemies to make and use drones, but expensive to stop them. To even the odds, the DoD is:

  • Developing  cost-effective countermeasures.
  • Using predictive analytics make smarter spending decisions.
  • Exploring co-production opportunities to share costs and resources.

Of Allies, Industry, and Innovation

No single nation can counter the enemy drone threat alone. The DoD’s strategy emphasizes collaboration at every level:

  • Allies and Partners: Strengthening interoperability and promoting shared norms around unmanned systems.
  • Industry: Engaging with the defense innovation ecosystem to develop cutting-edge solutions.
  • Congress and Interagency Partners: Aligning resources, authorities, and policies to support the strategy’s implementation.

A New Way of Thinking

The U.S. military is committed to protecting its people, interests, and allies — but executing the strategy demands more than just having the best tech.

The DoD is adopting a campaign approach to deny adversaries the benefits of using drones, stay creative and proactive in tackling challenges, and rely on the military’s creativity and initiative to outpace threats.