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1 [1] (June 7, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govedpl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ret at Research $erwce Infcurnin~ the k~jisIatP~~ &bata yn~e fl14 Updated June 7, 2021 Department of Defense Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, haveproliferated rapidly and are available to nation states and to nonstate actors and individuals. These systems could provide U.S. adversaries with a low-cost means of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mis sions against-or attacking-U.S. forces. Furthermore, many smaller UASs cannotbe detectedby traditional air defense systems due to their size, construction material, and flight altitude. As aresult, in FY2022, the Departmentof Defense (DOD) plans to spend at least $636 million on counter-UAS (C-UAS) research and development and at least $75 million on C-UAS procurement; this represents a $134 million overallincrease fromFY2021. As DOD continues to develop, procure, and deploy these systems, congressional oversight of their use may increase, and Congress may have to make decisions about future authorizations, appropriations, and other legislative actions. C-UAS Technology C-UAS can employ a number of methods to detect the presence ofhostile or unauthorized UAS. The first is using electro-optical, infrared, or acoustic sensors to detect a target by its visual, heat, or sound signatures, respectively. A secondmethod is to use radar systems. However, these methods are not always capable of detecting small UAS due to the limited signatures and size of such UAS. A third method is identifying the wireles s signals used to control the UAS, commonly using radio frequency sensors. These methods can be-and often are-combined to provide a more effective, layered detection capability. Once detected, the UAS may be engaged or disabled. Electronic warfare jamming can interfere with a UAS's communications linkto its operator. Jamming devices can be as light as 5 to 10 pounds and therefore man-portable (see Figure 1), or as heavy as severalhundred pounds and in fixed locations ormountedon vehicles. UAS can alsobe neutralized or destroyed using guns, nets, directed energy, traditional air defense systems, or even trained animals such as eagles. DOD is developing and procuring a number of different C-UAS technologies to try to ensure a robust defensive capability. Air Force The Air Force is testing high-powered microwaves and lasers-both forms of directed energy-for C-UAS missions. For example, in October 2019, the Air Force received delivery of a vehicle-mounted C-UAS prototype- the High-Energy Laser Weapon Sy stem(HELW S)-that will undergo a year-long overseas field test. HELWS is intended to identify and neutralize hostile or unauthorized UAS in seconds and, when connectedto a generator, to provide a nearly infinite number of shots. As stated in its 2016 Small UAS Flight Plan, the Air Force may additionally pursue airborne C-UAS options, although the status of such efforts is unclear. Figure 1. Man-Portable Counter-UAS Technologv Source: https://www.military.com/daiy-news/2020/0 1/15/new- pentagon-team-will-develop-ways-fight-en emy-dron es.html. Navy In 2014, the Navy fielded the first-and, to date, only- operational directed-energy weapon, the Las er Weapon Sy s tem(LaW S), aboard the USS Ponce (LPD-15). LaW S is a 30-kilowatt laser prototype capable of performing a C- UAS mission. The Navy alsoplans to deploy ODIN, an optical dazzler that interferes with UAS sensors, and HELLOS, a 60-kilowatt laser, aboard the USS Preble (DDG-88) in 2021. Both systems are intended to protect U.S. as sets fromUAS attacks. In addition, in a March 28, 2019, memorandum, the Department of the Navy announced that it would be partnering with the Defense Digital Service to rapidly develop new [cyber-enabled] C- UAS products to address the evolvingUAS threats. Marine Corps The Marine Corps funds a number of C-UAS systems throughits Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD)program office. For example, in 2019, the Corps completed overseas tests of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), which employs jamming and guns. The system can be mountedon MRZRall-terrain vehicles, JointLight Tactical Vehicles, and other platforms (see Figure 2). In July 2019, Marines aboard the USS Boxer(LHD-4) used MADIS to neutralize an Iranian UAS that was deemed to be within threatening range of the ship. As p art of GBAD, the Marine Corps is also procuring the Compact Laser Weapons Sy stem(CLaWS), the first DOD-approved ground-based laser. This system-which reportedly comes in variants of2-,5-, and 10-kilowatts-is also inuse by the Army. Although the Marine Corps has experimented with man-portable C-UAS technologies, now-Commandant of the Marine Corps David Berger testified to Congress in https://crs reports.congress.gov