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

Air Combat Command has tasked the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB to run the Point Defense Battle Lab, a series of monthly 2026 exercises that will test counter‑small‑UAS technologies. The lab issued two RFIs—one for detection, identification and tracking systems, and another for kinetic hard‑kill solutions such as lasers, microwaves and drone‑on‑drone interceptors. Participating firms must provide equipment that can be unpacked, set up by four Airmen, and operational within two hours. The resulting tactics, techniques and procedures will be codified into a standard operating procedure for all U.S. Air Force installations by the end of 2026.