Background

Counter-UAS (c-UAS) encompasses the sensors, effectors, and command systems used to detect, track, identify, and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial systems. Methods range from electronic jamming and GPS spoofing to kinetic interceptors and directed energy.

The Pentagon consolidated its Counter-UAS procurement under Anduril's Lattice platform in March 2026 via a $20 billion enterprise contract vehicle, replacing 120 separate procurement actions. JIATF-401 manages operational c-UAS doctrine, while the Drone Dominance programme procures the attack drones that C-UAS systems must defeat.

Global Counter-UAS patent filings rose 27% to 126 in the year to March 2025, with China filing 82 versus 22 for the US. DroneShield, the Australian c-UAS specialist, is scaling EU manufacturing to AUD $2.4 billion annual capacity by end-2026, betting on European demand.

Common Questions

What is counter-UAS?

Technologies and tactics for detecting and defeating hostile drones. Includes RF jamming, directed energy, kinetic intercept, and electronic warfare.Source: background

How do you shoot down a drone?

Layered approach: RF jammers disrupt control links, lasers burn them out, and kinetic interceptors destroy what gets through. No single method works against all threats.Source: background

Who makes counter-drone systems?

BlueHalo (Titan jammer, LOCUST laser), DroneShield (AI detection), Anduril (Pulsar EW), and others compete in a rapidly growing market.Source: background

Why is counter-UAS so important now?

Cheap attack drones have made layered defeat a doctrinal requirement. The Iran conflict and Ukraine war proved that traditional air defence alone cannot handle drone swarms.Source: background

How the World Sees Them

Europe

DroneShield scaling EU manufacturing; demand driven by drone threats exposed by the Ukraine war.

Ukraine

Three years of combat experience produced interceptors at $2,500/unit, orders of magnitude cheaper than Western systems.

Pentagon

Consolidated C-UAS under Lattice; views platform standardisation as essential after 120 incompatible contracts.