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US Army Standardizes Drill Sergeant Campaign Hats

Wednesday, January 7th, 2026

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Beginning in Calendar Year 2026 (CY26), all brave volunteers will be greeted by the iconic campaign hat, as the U.S. Army has canceled all future procurement of the women’s bush hat and authorized the campaign hat to be worn by all current, and future, drill sergeants.

“There’s a single standard when screening and certifying Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) for service as a drill sergeant, a single standard that we hold all serving drill sergeants to, and moving forward, there will be a single standard drill sergeant uniform” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McMurdy, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training. “Drill sergeants are the standard bearers for the Initial Military Training environment, and we solicited, consolidated, and incorporated their feedback to improve the Drill Sergeant Program moving forward”.

Drill sergeants are non-commissioned officers (NCOs) within the U.S. Army who are tasked with building the next generation of warfighters every day. These NCOs epitomize the Army Values, live the Warrior Ethos, and instill discipline in the individuals who volunteer to serve within the world’s greatest fighting force.

These NCOs are authorized to wear the campaign hat and the Drill Sergeant Badge to identify themselves as masters of all Skill Level 1 Tasks and some of the nations most qualified Soldiers placed in positions of responsibility tasked with transforming volunteers into U.S. Army Soldiers.

The campaign hat’s origin dates to 1872, when American Soldiers wore the hat to protect themselves against sun, wind, and rain. In 1964, the U.S. Army established the Drill Sergeant Program and authorized the campaign hat as the official headgear of currently serving Drill Sergeants. In 1971, the Chief of Staff of the Army approved the expansion of the Drill Sergeant Program to include female soldiers. In February 1972, six Women’s Auxiliary Corps NCOs were enrolled in the Drill Sergeant School (now known as the Drill Sergeant Academy) located at the Army Training Center, Fort Jackson. Upon their graduation from the Drill Sergeant School, these six NCOs were authorized to wear the “women’s drill sergeant hat” designed to model the Australian bush hat.

Since 1964, over 142,000 NCOs have proudly served as drill sergeants, with over 38,000 of those donning the bush hat.

Sgt. 1st Class Sarah Escarcega, 2023 Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Georgia Drill Sergeant of the Year (DSOY) is glad to see the standardization occurring. “When I was the Maneuver DSOY, the bush hat distinguished female drill sergeants who were held to the same standard as their male counterparts yet had a separate uniform”, said Escarcega. “Standardizing the headgear for all drill sergeants is directly aligned with every other standard that NCOs are held to when they serve as drill sergeants. I’m glad that Army Senior Leaders decided to listen to current and past drill sergeants to move away from the bush hat and continue putting our people first”.

Annually, the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training conducts multiple surveys of currently serving drill sergeants and drill sergeant candidates on ways to improve the Drill Sergeant Program.

Consolidated data since Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23)

-Roughly 70% of the drill sergeants surveyed expressed a desire to switch from the bush hat to the campaign hat.

-Over 60% of drill sergeants surveyed believed that the campaign hat had a more professional appearance compared to the bush hat.

In recent years, manufacturers have struggled to provide a quality product of bush hats that meet the U.S. Army standard and to date no industry partner has been willing to accept the contract to produce more. This problem has been plaguing the female drill sergeant population for nearly a decade, forcing the Army to solicit feedback from the force on ways to improve.

As the 2010 U.S. Army Reserve DSOY Sgt. Maj. Melissa Solomon is glad to see the standardization occurring. “When I served as the DSOY, the bush hat distinguished female drill sergeants that successfully completed the course and served honorably with their male counterparts. With deep respect to the bush hat history, I believe a change is necessary to mitigate product quality issues I witnessed first-hand as the Drill Sergent Academy Deputy Commandant and reinforce uniformity during the critical transformation of a civilian into a Soldier”.

Consolidated data beginning in 2023 informed U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), who, with support from the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, presented a solution to the Army Uniform Board (AUB). The 158th AUB convened in 2025 and decided to recommend the unified drill sergeant campaign hat. The AUB’s annual process ensures issued uniforms align total force requirements.

Female drill sergeants currently serving on the trail are authorized to draw two campaign hats to wear with a single effective date of 2 Jan 2026. This change eliminates trainee confusion and enables an efficient and effective transition from civilian to U.S. Army warfighter.

“Every member of society understands the importance of the U.S. Army drill sergeant and the iconic headgear associated with the time-honored position as a symbol of excellence.”, said 2024 U.S. Army DSOY Samuel Matlock. “This single standard will eliminate any confusion among the training population, the American public, and cadre regarding all standards for serving as a drill sergeant”.

By Hunter Rhoades, U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training

Posted in Army, Clothing, For the Ladies, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Training | No Comments »

Bundeswehr Birds Group – The New Innovation Network

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

The army sends a clear signal: innovation should be created faster, closer to the force and much more effectively and implemented in practice in the future. The newly established Birds Group at the Heer command, the staff of the inspector, combines ideas from the associations with the innovation actors of the Bundeswehr.

In the future, the Birds Group will bundle the innovation potential of the German Army and put it under a uniform leadership. It is important to make new technologies, processes and ideas ready for use in a short time.(Bundeswehr/Marco Dorow)

The Birds Group becomes the central point of contact for unmanned systems, technical innovations and tactical testing in the field of land forces. The “look from above”, which provides an overview of a broad picture of the situation and provides the basis for decision-making, gives the group its name.

The structure that is being created is a decisive step towards more commitment and technological security for the future. The task of the Birds Group is to strengthen the innovation culture of the Bundeswehr through networking, expertise and openness to new solutions. How can this be realized?

Benefits for the entire Bundeswehr

The Birds Group is a hub at the highest management level in the army, which identifies innovations faster, bundles, coordinates with the other players outside the army and brings them into the area. The entire Bundeswehr is to benefit from this later, because successful approaches from the force become visible more quickly and can then be transferred to other areas. The German Army thus strengthens its role as a driver of innovation and puts the important ideas and suggestions that already exist in the force under a uniform leadership.

The Birds Group does not replace the responsibility of leadership at all levels as well as in the respective professionalism. In the future, it will promote exchange with key innovation actors of the Bundeswehr through its leadership mission and will make it easier to make new technologies, processes and ideas ready for use in a short time. In this way, it strengthens the ability of all sub-forces to go into future positions in a more modern, networked and action-proof manner.

by PIZ Heer

Posted in Drone, Guest Post, International | No Comments »

Rapidly Developed Counter-Drone Prototype Succeeds at NATO’s Bold Machina

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

A new, innovative detection system for countering uncrewed aerial systems (c-UAS) conducted its first field tests at sea during the Bold Machina (BOMA) exercise in the Netherlands this September. Rapidly developed by a small team led by officer-scholars from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the c-UAS system deployed aboard a Dutch Navy fast raiding, interception, and special forces craft (FRISC).

Designed for passive operation, the system employed artificial intelligence (AI) to integrate multiple independent sensor platforms to detect and identify class 1 drones. Because these types of drones are numerous, small, and difficult to track, they pose significant threats. When fully functional, the system provides special forces operating in the maritime domain valuable protection against distant incoming drones without compromising their position.

The NPS efforts support the U.S. Department of War’s priority to accelerate drone development and deployment outlined in “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance.” The memo laid out the plan for how the department would “… power a technological leapfrog, arming our combat units with a variety of low-cost drones made by America’s world-leading engineers and AI experts.”

Local and International Teamwork

NATO Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) sponsored BOMA with technical support from the NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE). Over 150 personnel from 17 individual NATO special operations forces (SOF) commands and two NATO partner SOF commands participated. Representatives from Ukraine also attended. International collaborations like this are essential for ensuring national and global security and maintaining cooperation between allies.

Military conflicts often drive rapid advancement and adoption of new technology. Exemplifying this, the war in Ukraine has thoroughly demonstrated the urgent need to detect hostile drones that continuously evolve in capability. And NPS is helping to harvest these hard-earned lessons.

“For us, it’s a question of survival,” said a special operations forces colonel, who serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is also earning a master’s degree in defense analysis from NPS. “So, we’re more than motivated to create the most efficient and effective weapons and counter-weapons to use against enemies as soon as possible and as cheaply as possible.

“Every time I watch or read the news about a missile attack or drone attack or mixed attack, it’s so hard,” the Ukrainian colonel added.

But all of the Ukrainians understand the vital importance of their advanced education at NPS — to share what they know and what they are learning. It’s a force multiplier and will allow them to make bigger contributions to Ukraine’s defense once they return. “One thought that actually warms and encourages me is this education. Sharing our experiences. Thinking more strategically. It will help me execute my mission much better,” he said.

During the Ukrainian colonel’s studies, he joined over 80 other NPS officer-scholars — from the U.S. and across the globe — and faculty from the defense analysis and information sciences departments to observe NPS’ Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) exercise held in August. It’s here where he encountered the BOMA team from NPS testing their c-UAS system in collaboration with other experimenters and industry partners. He and his countrymen had insight to share.

Former NPS provost Scott Gartner is now a professor teaching for the NPS Department of Defense Analysis. He was responsible for organizing the large student and faculty group visit to JIFX because he understands its importance.

“JIFX captures what’s really special about NPS. It’s a collaboration of students, faculty, military, industry, government, and leaders from all over — just like NPS,” said Gartner. “I think that kind of collaboration is critical. It’s applied and working to accomplish important advances, which is demonstrated by JIFX’s focus on innovation. It’s the secret sauce of NPS.”

Bold Machina Design Challenge

SOF combatant craft, such as FRISCs and other rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), on open water can be at high risk of drone attack because they’re exposed without cover. NATO SOFCOM identified this vulnerability as the focus of their design challenge for the 2025 BOMA exercise.

Back in January, as two NPS officer-scholars worked toward their graduate degrees, they faced the seemingly impossible while enrolled in a special directed study course that covered this BOMA design challenge.

The course was a 90-day sprint study that tasked them “to understand the unique c-UAS challenges posed to maritime SOF combatant craft and propose next steps to close an existing capability gap.”

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Max Leutermann, an engineering duty officer studying system engineering, and Swedish Armed Forces Maj. Patrik Liljegard, a special forces officer studying defense analysis, eagerly accepted the challenge. They brought over 35 years of military service together, and their multidisciplinary experience proved invaluable to finding a solution.

“The ability for NPS to bring together defense subject matter experts, industry partners, and operationally experienced officer-scholars was recognized by NATO Allied SOFCOM as a unique opportunity to develop innovative solutions to a real-world problem,” said Kevin Smith, the lead and principal investigator for the BOMA effort at NPS. “This partnership not only advanced warfighting capability, but also greatly enriched the educational experience of all of the students involved.”

Liljegard and Smith presented the proposal to NATO Allied SOFCOM in Poland last April, where it was approved and additional funding for them to build a prototype was provided. But they still needed a lot of help to turn their proposed solution into reality. So, by forming partnerships across industry, they found the resources and expertise able to assist them.

“NATO required us to create a system that was passive so that operators who were on a small boat wouldn’t give off any sort of detectable signatures or emissions,” said Leutermann, who served as a submariner for years. “We spent the beginning of the year figuring out solutions. Now, we started figuring out how to build it and who to build it with.”

Testing Counter-UAV Prototype at JIFX

Temperatures in August frequently climbed to over 100 degrees at NPS’ JIFX, which is held quarterly in southern Monterey County at Camp Roberts. The scorching, dry, and dusty inland terrain did not exactly mimic the conditions likely faced during a SOF mission aboard a FRISC silently cruising along the coast of northern Europe. Instead, the harshness at JIFX in summertime provided benefits in other ways.

It was this environment that enabled the c-UAS team to shake out their prototype while navigating unexpected challenges as they pushed the system beyond its limits. They needed to complete this rigorous testing in time for BOMA.

“We had a very tight timeline,” said Leutermann. But he and Liljegard had been thinking ahead. They attended the JIFX exercises earlier in February and May as observers to learn how to best take advantage of the August exercise.

“After we built a mockup, we took it to JIFX to test and prove its functionality. Our goal was to detect drones. Eventually, the system will go on a RHIB for BOMA. But we first strapped the system into the back of my pickup truck and used it like a land boat.”

Their c-UAS system tied together four subsystems: — Multiple independent sensor platforms, which are customizable to the requirements and resources of the operators. — The Tactical Hybrid Operational Router (THOR), which provide the power and network to the hardware. — The Operational Data Integration Node (ODIN), which is an AI-driven, sensor fusion engine. — The navigation display, which overlays the drone detection data from the sensors on the graphical user interface for the operators.

“While companies and other NPS students at JIFX flew their drones all around, we tried to detect them,” Leutermann continued. “Different types of drones at different altitudes, distances, directions, angles of attack, and all of that. Our second goal at JIFX was processing what we detected and representing it on the navigation display.”

The sensor platforms used by the system included: short-range acoustic and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) from Mara; direction-finding radio frequency (RF) from DroneShield; broad-spectrum RF from Silvus Technologies; long-range EO/IR from Trakka Systems; and low probability of intercept/detection radar from DspNor.

To counter evolving drone design and adversary tactics, AI from an Nvidia Jetson developer kit drives the c-UAS system by fusing the multi-sensor data, refining real-time UAS detection models, and updating threat libraries. The operators receive the output on a SeaCross navigation display, giving them the detected drone’s bearing, range, altitude, orientation, and identification.

Their system combined sensors and hardware from seven different companies in Australia, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S. Together, these industrial partners provided the sensing, compute, and interface capability the team needed to succeed.

Not all the system’s sensor platforms were in place or ready for evaluation during JIFX, and building of the THOR and ODIN subsystems was ongoing. However, there was still much to learn, and the team spent the days at JIFX driving around the base in their “land boat” detecting drones.

Mounted on a mast attached to the pickup bed of the “land boat,” the Mara sensor platform caught the attention of the NPS students from Ukraine.

Mara’s CTO and co-founder Sriram Raghu explained, “They had great questions, like can our system detect against low altitude flights? What about resilience against fiberoptic drones? What kind of sensors are we using to do different kinds of detection? These questions were helpful to hear from them because they were very aware of the limitations of the different sensors.

“Our system uses a combination of sensors because the behavior of individual sensor types can vary under certain conditions. For instance, on a really hot, sunny day like today, drones light up against the sky on a thermal camera. But against the ground they don’t. Similar things happen with microphone signatures. If drones fly at certain speeds and their motors spin certain ways, they can trick the microphones. So, lots of good insight from them.”

Also attending JIFX were other teams from NPS conducting electronic warfare (EW) studies and operating drones. Like pilots who fly crewed aircraft, certified remote drone operators must stay in practice by flying regularly. So, JIFX provides an outstanding opportunity for them to keep current with flight hours by not only flying drones for their field tests but also assisting in-need experimenters who don’t have their own drones and operators. This collaboration is a very big win-win.

“JIFX not only provides our EW team with the opportunity to perform live RF hardware experimentation in the field, but it allows us to gain valuable ‘stick time’ in order to maintain small-UAS flight proficiency,” said Lt. Cmdr. Calvin Sessions, an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student from NPS’ Radar and Electronic Warfare Laboratory and a certified remote drone operator. “In addition to flying for our own investigations, JIFX is an excellent networking event, and we’re happy to collaborate with fellow engineers and researchers.”

“The BOMA team was one of our collaborations that our team worked with going into the event. During JIFX, they told us where to fly as they recorded their data. After the event, we provided their team with the actual flight track data pulled from our system to assist in their analysis. It was a pleasure to give them the support that they needed for their research, and it helped us out, too.”

Leutermann and Liljegard benefitted from working together with others at JIFX as well. Without the exceptionally collaborative environment at JIFX, it would have been impossible for them to fully integrate the hardware and software of their c-UAS system’s multiple sensor platforms.

The intense testing under field conditions that they were able to achieve greatly expanded their understanding of how the system would operate best, which allowed them to better optimize its functionality in preparation to execute during the BOMA exercise.

NATO Special Operations Forces Command’s BOMA 2025

In a matter of months, Leutermann and Liljegard had developed, built, tested, and prepared a prototype of their c-UAS system for sea trials during BOMA by the Dutch Navy from the port city of Den Helder, Netherlands. However, this did not mean the system was complete and fully functional.

“Our system is a system of systems,” said Liljegard, who has made over 10 global deployments with the Försvarsmakten or Swedish Armed Forces. “It was not fully integrated and fully operational before going to BOMA due to the timeline and the unavailability of some of the sensors we planned to use.”

During the first days of BOMA, sensors and equipment were still arriving and had to be connected. The team assembled and integrated hardware and software that they had never used before. But the multinational industry partners that joined them at BOMA stepped up in a big way.

“The great thing is how far we reached in such a short timespan with the NPS team and the industry partners, who all worked together,” added Liljegard. “If one of the companies lacked something, then another company shared its resources. It was fantastic to see everybody work toward the same goal of completing the system.”

Still, having to complete the prototype system while at BOMA was a delay that ate up valuable sea trials time. Once ready, the team deployed aboard a FRISC several kilometers offshore and waited for contacts. Four different types of class 1 drones launched at them—ordinary RF controlled, modified RF controlled, fiberoptic, and autonomous.

“We were able to put all the sensors on the boat, power them up, connect them to the fusion engine, funnel all the detection data through the fusion engine and the database, and then populate it all on the SeaCross display,” Liljegard said of the engagements.

As the FRISC maneuvered, the team watched the drones track on the navigation display in real time. For some drones, Leutermann and Liljegard not only tracked the drones themselves for the entire time in the air but also the drone controllers’ positions. In one case, after the third sighting of a drone not in their UAS library database, the system was able to learn it was a new type of drone, add it to the library, and alert the team that it was a threat.

“In the end, we showcased a system that integrated sensors from multiple companies into one display that operators can use,” said Leutermann. “That capability didn’t exist before. We were able to bring something new to the field.”

Despite the challenges, teammates Leutermann and Liljegard both agreed that the performance of their c-UAS system was very successful and did indeed meet the objectives set by BOMA.

Continuing the Collaboration

NATO says a critical function of the BOMA exercise is to adapt “lessons from ongoing conflicts, transforming today’s battlefield realities into tomorrow’s maritime SOF capabilities.” The collaboration with NPS was so productive that NATO SOFCOM is supporting another 90-day sprint study this winter to explore unique needs in underwater communications, command, and control.

Applying lessons from the war in Ukraine was especially relevant. So, members of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces participated in the BOMA exercise. While in attendance, they had also visited with the NPS c-UAS team. As Ukrainians also did during JIFX at NPS, they provided insightful feedback to help further advance the development of the system.

The success of the c-UAS system at BOMA could not have been accomplished without the prototype experiments run at NPS’ JIFX exercise in August. For decades, JIFX and its predecessor programs have enabled the rapid development of innovative technology—drones, lasers, AI, additive manufacturing, and much more—vital to meeting national and global security challenges.

“The war in Ukraine has made one point unmistakable: defense innovation must move much faster,” said Aleksandar Matovski, an expert on Russian and European security at NPS’ Institute for Regional and International Security (IRIS).

“New technologies such as the one c-UAS team demonstrated at the BOMA exercise in the Netherlands must be built and fielded at speed to close critical gaps, and existing systems updated almost daily to outpace adversaries who are learning and adjusting rapidly,” Matovski continued. “NPS is uniquely positioned to accelerate these efforts, drawing on its deep academic expertise, officer-scholars with operational experience, strong industry ties, and long-standing programs such as JIFX.”

NPS, located in Monterey, California, provides defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership, and warfighting advantage of the naval service. Established in 1909, NPS offers master’s and doctorate programs to Department of War military and civilians, along with international partners, to deliver transformative solutions and innovative leaders through advanced education and research.

Story by Daniel Linehan
NATO photos by Deacon Westervelt

Posted in C-UAS, Guest Post, Maritime, Navy | No Comments »

TNVC: Built on Trust. Driven by Education. Forged in the Dark.

Monday, January 5th, 2026

TNVC did not begin as a company chasing trends.

It began as a response to a real operational problem.

In the early days of the Global War on Terror, access to reliable night vision technology was extremely limited. Information was scarce, the market was fragmented, and transparency was rare. Questionable vendors and misinformation were common, while civilians had virtually no legitimate access at all. Even for military and law enforcement professionals, acquiring the right equipment often meant navigating delays, conflicting guidance, and costly trial and error.

Lives depended on technology that had to work, yet understanding how to properly select, configure, and employ that technology was anything but straightforward.

That gap is why TNVC was founded.

From the outset, TNVC recognized that night vision was more than hardware. It was a capability, one that demanded education, training, and trust. Rather than simply selling equipment, TNVC focused on helping end users understand why certain tools mattered, how to employ them correctly, and when they were appropriate for a given mission.

That education-first philosophy became foundational to the company’s identity.

Building Trust

At a time when limited information and questionable vendors defined the market, TNVC committed to transparency. Clear specifications. Honest recommendations. Real-world context.

Trust was not built through marketing claims. It was earned through consistency, integrity, and standing behind every system delivered.

That trust carried TNVC forward, into the development of a civilian night vision market that previously did not exist, and into deployment pipelines supporting law enforcement agencies nationwide.

To explore this evolution firsthand, TNVC recently released an in-depth video conversation featuring TNVC’s Chief of Staff and Training Director, Joe Halloran, and Marketing, Education and Communications Manager, Ephraim Rogers. In the video, Halloran and Rogers sit down to discuss the company’s origins, mission, and how education and trust have shaped TNVC’s approach over the past two decades. Watch the full video at the link below.

Innovation & Growth

As technology evolved, so did TNVC.

From early monocular systems to modern binocular and panoramic night vision, thermal integration, laser aiming devices, and complete helmet-borne solutions, TNVC did not simply keep pace with innovation, you could argue it helped shape it. By working directly with manufacturers, engineers, and end users, TNVC influenced how systems were designed, configured, and fielded in real operational environments.

Growth was never about scaling volume.

It was about scaling capability.

Halloran and Rogers also delve into how TNVC’s close collaboration with industry and end users continues to inform product selection, training modules, and capability integration, a perspective uniquely grounded in real operational experience.

Education & Community

Education has always been the cornerstone of TNVC’s mission.

Through hands-on training, detailed technical breakdowns, real-world testing, and open dialogue, TNVC helped demystify night vision technology for professionals and civilians alike. What was once an opaque, gate-kept capability became accessible and understandable.

Over time, a community emerged, not just customers, but practitioners. Individuals who value competence over hype, knowledge over shortcuts, and preparation over impulse.

That community is as much a part of TNVC’s legacy as the equipment itself.

Legacy & the Future

Today, more than 20 years later, the mission remains unchanged:

Define your requirements.

Train with purpose.

Bring light to darkness.

TNVC’s legacy is rooted in trust, education, and experience forged in low- and no-light environments. As night vision and visual augmentation technologies continue to advance, the responsibility to educate, inform, and lead only grows stronger.

This is where TNVC came from.

This is what we stand for.

And this is where we’re going.

Be Seeing You Tonight.

Watch the full TNVC conversation with Joe Halloran and Ephraim Rogers: youtu.be/vzq_-xm35s0

By Ephraim Rogers

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Industry | No Comments »

JIATF-401 Marks 100 Days of Counter-Drone Operations, Highlighting Early Successes and Rapid Innovation

Monday, January 5th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Joint Interagency Task Force-401 established as the Department of War’s premier organization for countering small unmanned aerial systems marked its 100th day of operations earlier this month. The task force was created to consolidate resources and deliver affordable counter-drone capabilities to protect U.S. personnel and facilities at home and abroad.

“From day one, our mission has been to move with speed and purpose to keep pace with this evolving threat,” said Director of JIATF-401 Brig. Gen. Matt Ross. “I am incredibly proud of the men and women of JIATF-401. In just over three months, they have demonstrated our ability to rapidly integrate across the department and within the interagency, deploy counter-drone capabilities, and enhance protections for our forces overseas and on our own southern border.”

In its first 100 days, JIATF-401 successfully transitioned the counter-sUAS mission from a community of interest to a community of action. The task force is delivering tangible capabilities, streamlining policy, and building the whole-of-government coalition required to counter the evolving sUAS threat to the homeland and U.S. forces abroad.

Line of Effort 1: Defend the Homeland

JIATF-401 has taken decisive action to defend the homeland by strengthening defenses against sUAS threats. In addition to delivering state-of-the-art counter-sUAS equipment, JIATF-401 is revamping policy and expanding authorities to defend troops and defense-critical infrastructure.

“Countering drones in the homeland is not just a technology problem,” Ross said. “Our greatest challenge is having trained people, the right policy, and the right process.”

New guidance to commanders consolidated all Department of War counter-sUAS policies into a single document, providing clarity to installations about their authority to engage drone threats in and around their perimeters.

Through the Replicator 2 initiative, JIATF-401 developed a prioritized list of asset locations to guide resource allocation. Site assessments were conducted at key installations to identify and address defense gaps.

Along the southern border, where thousands of drone incursions were reported last year, JIATF-401 rapidly delivered solutions to enhance air domain awareness and counter-drone capabilities.

“In less than 60 days — a process that traditionally takes two or three years — JIATF-401 assessed and validated capability gaps on the southern border and translated them into the Joint Task Force-Southern Border requirements document vetted through U.S. Northern Command and the services,” said Maj. Anthony Padalino, JIATF-401 response team member. “With director approval already secured, we are driving toward an initial delivery of approximately $18 million in counter-sUAS capability to the border in January 2026.”

In the National Capital Region, the task force has been instrumental in coordinating with interagency partners to improve the region’s integrated air defense.

“Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors, and mission command systems into a responsive, interoperable network that protects service members and American citizens alike,” Ross said. “Countering drones is not just a battlefield problem — it’s a homeland defense imperative.”

Line of Effort 2: Support Warfighter Lethality

JIATF-401 is committed to equipping warfighters with the most effective counter-drone technologies and tactics. Operation Clear Horizon assessed current counter-sUAS systems and identified the need for an enterprise-wide mission command system.

The task force is also fostering rapid technological advancement through a digital marketplace for vetted counter-sUAS solutions and actively supports testing events to drive procurement of the latest capabilities, such as low-collateral defeat systems.

Line of Effort 3: Joint Force Training

JIATF-401 is leading the charge to build a unified defense against sUAS. The task force hosted a summit that brought together more than 50 federal agencies to align efforts and close policy gaps.

“Countering drones is a team sport,” Ross said. “We have to work together, share information, and leverage each other’s strengths if we’re going to stay ahead of this threat.”

This collaborative spirit extends to training. The task force assumed oversight of the Joint Counter-sUAS University at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and partners with the FBI to support its National Counter-sUAS Training Center, preparing law enforcement for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Lots of people talk about the risk of action. I want to think about the risk of inaction,” Ross said. “What might happen to the American public if we don’t come together to solve counter-sUAS problems?”

Looking Ahead

JIATF-401 is focused on expanding its authorities to protect all Department of War facilities and fielding new capabilities to high-priority sites.

“When our agencies work together, there is no challenge we cannot meet,” Ross said.

U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, C-UAS, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Army Establishes New AI, Machine Learning Career Path for Officers

Sunday, January 4th, 2026

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army has established a new career pathway for officers to specialize in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), formally designating the 49B AI/ML Officer as an official area of concentration. It advances the Army’s ongoing transformation into a data-centric and AI-enabled force.

Full implementation of the new career field will be phased. The first selection of officers will occur through the Army’s Volunteer Transfer Incentive Program (VTIP) beginning January 2026. The officers will be reclassified by the end of fiscal year 2026.

“This is a deliberate and crucial step in keeping pace with present and future operational requirements,” said Lt. Col. Orlandon Howard, U.S. Army spokesperson. “We’re building a dedicated cadre of in-house experts who will be at the forefront of integrating AI and machine learning across our warfighting functions.”

Initially, the 49B AOC will be open to all officers eligible for the VTIP. Those with advanced academic and technical backgrounds in fields related to AI/ML will be particularly competitive candidates. The Army is also exploring expanding this specialized field to include warrant officers in the future.

Officers selected for the 49B AOC will undergo rigorous graduate-level training and gain hands-on experience in building, deploying, and maintaining the Army’s cutting-edge AI-enabled systems. Their primary role will be to operationalize these advanced capabilities across the range of military operations.

The strategic purpose of this new MOS is to provide the Army with a core group of uniformed experts who can accelerate the integration of AI and machine learning. These specialists will apply their talents to a wide range of applications, including:

Accelerating battlefield decision-making: Enabling commanders to make faster, more informed decisions in complex environments.
Streamlining logistics: Optimizing supply chain and maintenance operations.
Supporting robotics and autonomous systems: Fielding and managing the next generation of battlefield robotics.

“Establishing the 49B AI/ML career path is another key investment to maintain our decisive edge as an Army,” said Howard. “Ultimately, it’s about building a force that can outthink, outpace, and outmaneuver any adversary.”

By U.S. Army Communication and Outreach Office

Posted in AI / ML, Army, Guest Post, TacJobs | No Comments »

Marine Corps Launches New Drone Training Program

Sunday, January 4th, 2026

The Marine Corps has launched a training program to rapidly increase the number of small unmanned aircraft system operators for commercial off-the-shelf attack drones.

The program, announced in Marine Corps administrative message 624/25, addresses a critical need for standardized training as the service integrates new systems, including the Neros Archer first-person-view attack drone and prepares for this significant investment in various drone technologies.

This initiative builds on the service’s success over the past few months scaling FPV attack drones across the Fleet Marine Force. It also aligns directly with War Department plans to field tens of thousands, and then hundreds of thousands, of attack drones across service components starting in March 2026 and continuing over the next several years.

The new framework, created by Training and Education Command, establishes six pilot courses and eight certifications to create a standard for drone operators across the force. These initiatives are designed to provide foundational skills for a variety of small unmanned aircraft systems.

“We are fielding these courses as pilot programs to move quickly while maintaining our commitment to quality training and safety,” said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, commanding general, Training and Education Command. “This allows us to validate all aspects of the training, from prerequisites and instructional methods to resourcing needs and certification standards, ensuring that we refine and perfect the curriculum before it becomes part of our long-term training framework.”

Six approved pilot courses will certify Marines while testing instructional methods and curriculum. These courses include training for drone operators, payload specialists and instructors, with specific prerequisites such as simulator experience on Training and Education Command-approved systems. The courses aim to ensure proper integration and supervision of new drone capabilities. The Training and Education Command has also established a process to grant certifications to Marines who have existing qualifications and experience through an exception to policy.

Seven organizations are designated as regional training hubs with the authority to immediately begin conducting the pilot courses, including schools within Training and Education Command, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Forces Special Operations Command.

Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, will serve as the interim central hub, responsible for standardizing training, certification and safety across the force. It will consolidate lessons learned and function as the Marine Corps’ focal point for adapting training to emerging platforms, payloads and evolving operational requirements.

This effort to scale standardized FPV attack drone training was shaped by lessons from recent certifications, including two Marine Corps attack drone competitions, one in the National Capitol Region and the other in Okinawa, Japan. These efforts certified 19 attack drone operators, five attack drone instructors, seven payload specialists, and two payload specialist instructors.

In mid-November, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team also supported the certification of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines, resulting in 14 attack drone operators and 11 payload specialists fully trained, equipped and ready for contingency operations.

Over the next few months, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, alongside Weapons Training Battalion and regional hubs, will certify hundreds more Marines. By May 2026, all infantry, reconnaissance battalions and littoral combat teams across the Corps will be equipped to employ FPV attack drone capabilities.

By Marine Corps SSgt Claudia Nix, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Posted in Drone, Guest Post, Training, USMC | No Comments »

Autonomy in Action: Advancing CBRN Defense Capabilities with Unmanned Systems

Saturday, January 3rd, 2026

Our Nation’s warfighters encounter many known and unknown hazards on the modern battlefield including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. Hand-held detection and identification capabilities enhance situational awareness and enable early warning and mitigation, but they can also be time intensive and physiologically burdensome. Additionally, some environments pose too great a risk or are simply inaccessible to warfighters. This is where the use of critical integrated layered CBRN defense assets like autonomous systems comes in.

In CBRN defense, an autonomous system refers to a capability that can independently detect, identify, and/or mitigate CBRN threats by leveraging sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and automated decision-making algorithms. The key feature lies in its ability to function independently, acting as an intelligent partner, and keeping the warfighter at a safe distance, therefore enhancing force protection.

Currently, the Capability Program Executive Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND) manages autonomous system efforts including the CBRN Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) and the Autonomous Decontamination System (ADS).

CSIRP is a rapid prototyping and fielding effort led by the CPE CBRND’s Joint Project Manager for CBRN Sensors (JPM CBRN Sensors) that focuses on integrating modular CBRN sensor solutions to enhance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles. It exploits advances in sensing, AI, machine learning, autonomy, and communications to enable timely and accurate detection, early warning, and reporting of CBRN hazards, benefiting the warfighter by reducing response times and limiting risk of exposure to CBRN threats.

The CSIRP SkyRaider UAS CBRN Hazard Mapping system is an example of CSIRP in action. The CSIRP SkyRaider UAS is a drone with modular detection equipment or sensors attached that can display CBRN hazard information on mapping, targeting, and communication devices. Once launched from the ground or platform, it is capable of autonomous operation beyond line-of-sight and can complete the programmed mission even through loss of GPS or communications. It is capable of self-navigating to the target, maneuvering in tight spaces, and avoiding obstacles.

Likewise, the ADS program, led by the CPE CBRND’s Joint Project Manager for CBRN Protection (JPM CBRN Protection) will provide increased safety and efficiency of chemical and biological (CB) decontamination operations by utilizing automated, semi-autonomous, and/or autonomous processes to mitigate contamination on critical mission equipment, infrastructure, and terrain. ADS reduces reliance on warfighters’ manual labor and optimizes resource consumption.

To illustrate how these autonomous systems benefit the warfighter and Joint Force mission, imagine a platoon situated in a contested environment. The adversary launches a missile armed with a chemical warfare agent nearby and the dispersal pattern is unpredictable due to the terrain, wind conditions, and the missile’s detonation characteristics. Manned detection slows contamination mapping and poses risk to the Force, so rather than putting warfighters at risk, the platoon leader would deploy the SkyRaider UAS equipped with chemical sensors to quickly self-navigate and assess the broader area. This unmanned, rapid assessment minimizes personnel exposure and enhances force protection by communicating to leaders the timely information needed to make informed decisions. In this case, the platoon leader might deploy an ADS to decontaminate any equipment or areas the platoon will need to traverse, mitigating the risk of exposure to the warfighters through robotic means and reducing the time and logistical burden required to conduct decontamination operations.

Mark Colgan, CSIRP lead systems engineer for JPM CBRN Sensors, states, “Currently, warfighters have to suit up, do their mission, and then decontaminate their protective gear, equipment, vehicles, and more. We can now skip some of those steps by automating the process. They get the same results while remaining safe and completing the mission faster.”

The CSIRP effort is in constant pursuit of advanced sensing capabilities and improvements to leverage autonomy, specifically through its use of algorithms. To keep pace with advancing technologies, JPM CBRN Sensors and JPM CBRN Protection leverage CPE CBRND’s Joint Enterprise Technology Tool (JETT), a web-based platform designed to facilitate communication between the U.S. Government and industry members, for market research and to gain a better understanding of what industry is developing and their focus areas as they relate to program needs. The JPM CBRN Sensors team has utilized JETT to identify and engage with more than a dozen vendors with capabilities relevant to CSIRP. Colgan states, “JETT has proven valuable in answering the questions of ‘What else is out there?’ and ‘What’s coming next?”

This aligns with the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which, in part, acknowledges that industry often outpaces the Defense Industrial Base and that the Department “must adopt an industry-driven environment for companies to share their product and service offerings to accelerate and scale capability delivery,” as well as “enable industry to better understand the Department’s needs and demonstrate mature products and services early in the acquisition process.”

To date, improvements have included software designed to operate with CPE CBRND’s CBRN Support to Command and Control (CSC2), which integrates CBRN sensor data and information into a common operating picture and provides actionable information to Commanders throughout the battlespace; flight software and sensor-driven algorithms that enable a number of unmanned systems to autonomously team up and relay messages among themselves and with their human counterparts; algorithms that synthesize data; and more.

As it stands, autonomous systems provide a decisive warfighter advantage by performing standoff detection of CBRN threats and critical decontamination functions so the warfighter can focus—at a safe distance—on the larger mission at hand. Looking ahead, AI and technology advancements will continue to optimize the role autonomous systems play in CBRN defense, enabling our warfighters to operate in a CBRN contested environment with more confidence.

By Vashelle Nino CPE CBRND Public Affairs

Posted in AI / ML, Army, CBRNE, Guest Post, Robotics | No Comments »