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Unmanned Systems

Threat of Small Drones Rises to Level of First Use of IEDs in Iraq, CENTCOM Commander Says

Frank Wolfe

Monday, February 8th, 2021

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Threat of Small Drones Rises to Level of First Use of IEDs in Iraq, CENTCOM Commander Says

To help combat the small drone threat to U.S. bases, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) developed the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR) with contractors, including Leidos (Leidos Photo)

The growing threat of small drone systems to deployed U.S. and allied forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is similar to the inception of terrorist groups' use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq more than 15 years ago, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Feb. 8. CENTCOM Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie told the Middle East Insitute (MEI) during a kickoff address to the first annual MEI-CENTCOM conferene that a long-term technical concern for…

Advanced / Transformational Technology

Pentagon May Make ‘Tradeoffs’ For Low-Cost Autonomous Tech Without Reconciliation Funds, CTO Says

The Pentagon’s chief technology officer has said the department may need to make “tradeoffs” on certain capability priorities if Congress doesn’t pass a reconciliation with $350 billion in requested defense […]

Congress

SASC’s FY ‘27 NDAA Sticks With Army’s Plan For Legacy Aviation Procurement Cuts

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the next defense policy sticks to the Army’s proposed plan to cut procurement of its legacy aviation fleet, and does not authorize […]

Congress

SASC Approves $1.14 Trillion FY ‘27 NDAA With ‘Right to Repair’ Reform, Stock Buyback Restriction

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has approved its $1.14 trillion version of the next defense policy bill, adopting “right to repair” reform to provide the military services’ greater ability […]

Congress

House Appropriators Unveil $1.07 Trillion FY ‘27 Defense Bill, Restore Funds For E-7, Army Aviation

House appropriators on Wednesday released their $1.07 trillion fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill, with the legislation reversing Army aviation cuts, restoring funding for the Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail program […]