‘Flying IEDs’: Combatant Commanders Tell Congress Small Drones Are a Big Problem – UAS VISION

Strengthening Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific Region Amidst Growing Threats

During a posture hearing, the committee discussed the increasing threats in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically focusing on North Korea, China, and Russia. Witnesses highlighted North Korea's advancements in nuclear-capable missile technology, which included a submarine-launched cruise missile and a solid fuel ballistic missile with a maneuverable re-entry vehicle. These advances pose concerns as they can evade missile defenses and disrupt detection abilities. The strengthening alliance between North Korea and Russia is also alarming, with North Korea supplying millions of artillery shells, rockets, and ballistic missiles to Russia, while Russia provides energy back to North Korea. This partnership has implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and potential future threats to the Korean Peninsula. 

China's growing military capabilities and increasingly provocative actions in the region also pose significant concerns. China's defense budget has increased for three consecutive years, leading to the development of modern military systems, such as hypersonic weapons and fifth-generation fighters. China's expanding borders, reckless ship and aircraft intercepts, and attempts to coerce Taiwan with military exercises and airspace incursions require a resolute response. To address these growing threats, the committee emphasized the need to accelerate military modernization, enhance training and readiness, and better distribute logistics throughout the Pacific. Strengthening partnerships in the region, arming allies with agreements like AAS, and expediting the delivery of arms and training to Taiwan were also highlighted as crucial measures in deterring adversaries

• Ensuring a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Challenges and Progress

The admiral highlights the vital role of military personnel and civilians in maintaining the nation's security and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) has made significant progress, but the risk remains high due to the delayed delivery of advanced capabilities and resources. Inflation, unfunded lists, and increased threats from potential adversaries like China and North Korea contribute to the growing requirements for the PDI. To maintain deterrence, the forces must move at the speed of relevance and address the rapidly evolving security environment. The admiral emphasizes the need to field key joint capabilities, such as the Guam defense system, joint fires network decision superiority, and multilateral agreements with partners. He expresses gratitude for Congress's support and looks forward to his successor's continued collaboration. In the Korean Peninsula context, the admiral highlights the ongoing threat from North Korea and the importance of the US-ROK alliance in defending against this threat, including through increased trilateral cooperation with Japan.

• Strengthening Indo-Pacific Alliances and Understanding Global Motivations 

The discussion revolves around the importance of strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region and understanding the motivations of various countries. The speakers highlight the strategic partnership between the US and India, acknowledging India's aspiration for a multipolar international system while noting their recent trend towards strategic convergence with the US. There is a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the US aims to nurture and advance this aspect of India's orientation. The conversation also touches upon the complex relationship between India, Russia, China, and Iran. 

India's decision to work with these countries is seen as part of their strategic identity and their pursuit of a multipolar world. Meanwhile, China's intent to assimilate Taiwan without a war is mentioned, with concerns over China's increasing aggressive and coercive campaign against Taiwan. Lastly, the committee discusses the concerning support from North Korea to Russia, including the alleged exchange of artillery shells for possible nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. This support contributes to North Korea's military buildup and poses a threat to regional security, particularly for South Korea and Japan.

• Indo-Pacom Requires 360-Degree Integrated Air Missile Defense for Guam by 2027; Concerns Over Delay of Glide Phase Interceptor & Termination of SM-3 Block 1B Program

Admiral John Aquilino, commander of Indo-Pacom, emphasized the need for a 360-degree integrated air missile defense capability for Guam to protect citizens and forces against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. He expressed concern over the Missile Defense Agency's recommendation to end the SM-3 Block 1B program and delay the Glide Phase Interceptor until 2035, stating it doesn't meet Indo-Pacom's requirements and timeline. Aquilino is open to any capability that delivers on the defense needs for various threats, urging quicker action to counter China's hypersonic arsenal development. He also acknowledged the value of having a conventional offensive hypersonic capability for Indo-Pacom, dismissing concerns of destabilization despite China's existing arsenal. 

In other topics, Admiral Aquilino and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Dr. Randy Schriver, discussed the U.S. approach in the Pacific Islands, particularly in Papua New Guinea (PNG). They mentioned coordinating with the State Department and USAID in improving Justice systems and professionalizing security forces in priority countries, as required by the Global Fragility Act. Both have engaged with PNG through a defense cooperation agreement, ship rider agreement, and capacity-building efforts, aiming to strengthen PNG's capabilities and infrastructure while enhancing U.S. access in the region. 

Aquilino also briefly introduced the new Bravo AI Battle Lab, focusing on developing and integrating joint fires networks with data from NSA and other exquisite sources to deliver faster and more reliable capabilities. He mentioned a demonstration planned for Valiant Shield in 2024 and is prioritizing building capability and capacity quickly to increase risk and uncertainty for adversaries.

Concerns Over Rapid Chinese Military Buildup and Its Impact on National Security 

In a conversation between congressmen, naval officials, and experts, there is a shared concern about the significant buildup of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) across all domains, including the addition of over 400 fighter aircraft, more than 20 major warships, and doubling their inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles over the past three years. The PLA's accelerated shipbuilding capacity, supported by government subsidies and unfair trade practices, is a particular area of worry, surpassing that of the United States in certain areas.

 The trend of this increasing military investment, even during an economic downturn, has led to a mismatch in capabilities between the U.S. and Chinese Joint Forces. While the U.S. has identified this issue and started reallocating the budget toward the China challenge, there is a call for reinforced domestic supply chains, manufacturing prowess, and power to maintain security interests, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region. The 11 billion dollar shortfall to defend Guam and its military capabilities is highlighted as an urgent funding need to counter the growing threat from China.

‘Flying IEDs’: Combatant Commanders Tell Congress Small Drones Are a Big Problem – UAS VISION

uasvision.com

by The Editor

Summary

The article discusses the growing threat posed by small drones, often referred to as "flying IEDs," in modern warfare. Key points include:

1. Russia is procuring over 100 Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones per week for use in the Ukraine war, with Iran's assistance in setting up a factory in Russia.
2. U.S. combatant commanders testified before Congress about the challenges of countering small drones across all regions, including CONUS, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
3. Ukraine is employing novel techniques like acoustic detection networks using cell phones to counter the drone threat.
4. The U.S. military is experimenting with directed energy weapons, such as a 50-kilowatt laser system, to address the cost imbalance of using expensive missiles against cheap drones.
5. Drone swarms have even appeared near U.S. military bases, prompting the new NORAD/NORTHCOM commander to prioritize the counter-UAS mission.
6. Experts suggest a broader approach beyond point defenses, targeting the logistics and training networks supporting the use of drones by militants and extremist groups, likening them to "flying IEDs."

 

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Russia is producing more than 100 Iranian-designed drones a week for its ongoing war in Ukraine, a top U.S. military commander told Congress, providing a fresh example of how small drones are changing modern warfare across the globe.

U.S. Central Command boss Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla said that Russia initially asked Iran for one-way attack drones, specifically the Shahed-136. To boost the supply, Iran helped Russia build a factory in Russian territory.

“The relationship between Iran and Russia, that really started when they asked for them to provide the one-way attack UASs,” Kurrila told the House Armed Services Committee March 21. “They started providing complete systems, and they built an actual factory in Russia, and those same Shahed-136—a very capable system—are now going at a rate of over 100 a week from Russia into Ukraine.”

The Shahad-136 has added to the threat to U.S. partners and potentially American forces themselves. It was just one of an array of systems featured in combatant commanders’ testimony to Congress in the past few weeks as they discussed threats from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

To try to counter the growing drone threat, Ukraine has employed new systems, such as acoustic detection networks made up of thousands of cell phones, according to Gen. James B. Hecker, the head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. Ukraine and Russia are locked in a battle of electronic warfare to try to counter the drones effectively and without having to use expensive air defense weapons, according to analysts.

In the Middle East, where U.S. troops have been attacked by drones and rockets in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan—where three Soldiers were killed in an attack—American forces are using a range of defensive systems, including short-range Coyote air defense systems and even netting to protect bases.

One novel system that has been deployed is a 50-kilowatt high-energy laser air defense system. Kurilla said three of those experimental systems mounted on armored Stryker vehicles have been sent to Iraq.

The Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD, is a short-range system theoretically capable of tackling small drones and rockets. Breaking Defense first reported the deployment of the developmental Army system to the Middle East, which complements the deployment of Patriot anti-missile systems and the THAAD anti-missile system that have also been sent to deal with more sophisticated threats.

“We are experimenting with those, and the best and most effective way to use those is to help them learn from that to be able to make better systems,” Kurilla said.

“Directed energy is not the panacea,” Kurilla added, noting that the systems are costly. “It will be part of a layered defense. We have to be able to get further out with it to be able to bring down these systems when it’s only costing a dollar a shot, minus acquisition, to be able to do that. But I would tell you what’s worse than shooting a $1 million missile at a $20,000 drone is that $20,000 drone hitting a $2 billion ship with 300 sailors on it.”

The ongoing clashes with Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea have dramatized that point. The U.S. has deployed warships and an aircraft carrier to the region. The U.S. has had to use F-18 fighters firing expensive air-to-air missiles to knock down the drones. Navy AEGIS-equipped surface vessels are firing the Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) at drones, effective air defense weapons, but ones that cost roughly $2 million a piece.

CENTCOM understands how useful cheap drones can be. Air Forces Central is trying to put its own low-cost, experimental drones into operational use with its Task Force 99 unit.

The drone threat is a problem in Asia, too.

“What we do have to do is move forward on our directed energy path to be able to get on the right side of this cost curve,”

Adm. John C. Aquilino, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told the House Armed Services Committee on March 20.

Drones are not just a problem in faraway locations. In the U.S., mysterious drone swarms have appeared near Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va, as first reported by The War Zone, posing a surprising dilemma for Gen. Gregory Guillot, the new head of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. Guillot, the former deputy commander of CENTCOM, launched a 90-day assessment of homeland defense upon taking command in February. Guillot said the drone incursions at Joint Base Langley-Eustis were the “centerpiece” of that assessment.

“To tell the truth, the counter-UAS mission has dominated that so far in the first month,” Guillot told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 14. “Of course, I knew it was an issue coming from another combatant command where we faced that threat in a very different way because of the environment. But I wasn’t prepared for the number of incursions that I see.”

There are alternatives to relying on defenses alone to take down drones, however.

“There are all kinds of point defense solutions,” Caitlin Lee, the director of the acquisition and technology policy program at the RAND Corporation, told Air & Space Forces Magazine. “I think there’s a broader complementary approach. There are state backers, entire networks of logistics supply chains, and even training that are backing the militants and violent extremist organizations that are using these drone capabilities and other low-cost munitions. And so I think there’s a real need to get left of launch on the drone fight.”

Added Lee:

“We got really good at hunting down IED networks. Well, drones are flying IEDs.”

Photo:The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Base Defense Operations Center crews observed a mobile-low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system live-fire to instill confidence in kinetic systems capable of shooting down one-way UAS attacks during pre-deployment Green Sands training Continental United States at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico March 4, 2024.U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Raquel Birk

Source: Air and Space Forces