‘Battle Lab’ to Produce Standard Plans for Air Base Counter-Drone Defense

Why It Matters

A unified SOP accelerates deployment of proven counter‑drone capabilities across the force, closing a critical vulnerability to emerging aerial threats. It also creates a clear procurement pathway for industry partners, driving faster innovation and acquisition cycles.

Key Takeaways

• 319th Wing leads Point Defense Battle Lab for C‑UAS
• Monthly 2026 exercises test detection, tracking, and hard‑kill tech
• RFIs seek systems deployable by four Airmen within two hours
• Hard‑kill options include lasers, microwave, and drone‑on‑drone interceptors
• SOP will be distributed to all US Air Force installations

Pulse Analysis

The rapid proliferation of commercial and hostile drones has forced the U.S. Air Force to rethink base security. Small unmanned aerial systems can evade traditional air defenses, yet they pose a tangible risk to critical infrastructure, personnel, and mission‑essential aircraft. By establishing the Point Defense Battle Lab, Air Combat Command is creating a dedicated testbed that mirrors real‑world base environments, ensuring that emerging counter‑UAS solutions are evaluated against realistic threat scenarios.

The battle lab’s methodology hinges on monthly, invitation‑only exercises that pair industry innovators with Air Force operators. Two targeted RFIs solicit technologies that meet stringent deployment criteria: a four‑person crew must unpack, configure, and have the system mission‑ready within two hours, and it must operate in extreme temperatures and winds up to 30 mph. One RFI focuses on sensors capable of detecting Group 1 drones beyond two kilometers, while the other solicits kinetic options ranging from high‑energy lasers to AI‑guided drone‑on‑drone interceptors. This dual‑track approach ensures a layered defense, combining early detection with decisive neutralization.

The ultimate deliverable—a standardized operating procedure—will be disseminated to every Air Force installation, streamlining acquisition and training. Coupled with the Joint Interagency Task Force 401’s upcoming marketplace, the SOP creates a clear procurement pipeline that benefits both the services and commercial vendors. Ongoing refinements after the initial 2026 rollout will keep the doctrine agile, allowing the Air Force to incorporate next‑generation technologies as they mature, and maintaining a resilient shield against the evolving drone threat landscape.