The US Army is evaluating portable counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) devices to protect dismounted troops from drone threats in Germany.
Being facilitated in Bavaria, the event supports a broader effort to screen and identify which next-generation technologies are most effective in drone warfare.
At the trials, soldiers are utilizing wearable, vehicle-mounted, and rifle-integrated solutions specifically designed for small units.
Soldier Kit, EchoShield, and Smartshooter
The assessments covered the “Soldier Kit,” wearable equipment developed by Danish company MyDefence. It consists of the “Wingman” detector that scans UAS activity in real-time, as well as “Pitbull” jammers for uninterrupted precision target disruption.
The consoles weigh 1.3 kilograms (2.8 pounds) for sustained troop mobility and can be attached to tactical gear, concealed in a bag, or put inside a combat uniform.
Soldiers also tested the American EchoShield, a 17-inch (43-centimeter) radar capable of tracking adversarial forces, nano-UAS, manned aircraft, and vehicles.
It has a range of up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) and can operate in a vehicle-mounted or stationary setup for coastal and airspace management.
For directly engaging hostile drones, the testers also demonstrated the Israeli-made Smartshooter, a firearm accessory that modifies an existing rifle into an anti-UAS gun.
This Smartshooter family of devices typically measures 164 millimeters (6 inches) long and can run approximately 70 hours of assisted precision shots.
‘Paramount’ Experience
Participants included the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a 4,800-person agile unit stationed at the Rose Barracks in Vilseck that specializes in a full spectrum of operations in support of the Pentagon’s European areas of responsibility and the NATO alliance.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Salinas, a UAS operator at the regiment, gave insights into their experience in the Bavaria trials.
“This (project) … has been paramount for us,” Salinas told American news outlet Stars and Stripes. “(It) has been allowing us to be able to be ahead of the curve.”
In August, the technologies will be deployed during a live-fire exercise in Poland, where their performance will be re-evaluated.
