20250501: TAL Hearing: Small UAS and Counter-Small UAS

House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces

2025-05-01

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Summary

This meeting of the Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittee addressed the pressing challenges and modernization efforts concerning unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies [ 00:27:20-00:27:21 ] . Speakers from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Marine Corps, Army, and Joint Counter UAS Office (JCO) outlined their strategies, the urgency of the threat, and the need for significant reforms in defense procurement and risk management [ 00:46:38-00:46:52 ]

Themes

Urgency of the UAS Threat and Need for Rapid Response

The subcommittee emphasized the significant and rapidly evolving threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems, referencing lessons from Ukraine, the Middle East, and incidents at U.S. military installations like Langley-Eustis and Picatinny [ 00:46:56-00:47:16 ]

. Speakers highlighted that traditional defense procurement, budgeting, testing, and fielding processes are too slow to keep pace with this dynamic threat [ 00:37:17 ] . There is a clear consensus on the imperative to accelerate modernization, iterate quickly, and outpace adversary innovation [ 00:37:47 ] .

Modernization and Innovation Initiatives

Various branches and agencies detailed their efforts to adapt to the UAS landscape. The DIU is focused on leveraging commercial technology, exemplified by partnerships with the Army on company-level small UAS and extending command and control capabilities . They are also overhauling the Blue UAS initiative to rapidly vet platforms and components without Chinese parts or funding, and launching the Blue Manufacturing Initiative to scale production in the U.S. . The Marine Corps is fielding modern UAS like the Skydio X-2D and Skyraider R-80 Delta, experimenting with low-cost "tradable" drones, and developing counter-UAS capabilities such as the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) [ 00:35:59-00:36:55 ]

. The Army is changing its buying models to adopt commercial off-the-shelf technologies, using agile funding, and focusing on modular, software-centric systems to create a layered defense strategy . The JCO synchronizes joint requirements, technologies, training, and doctrine for countering small UAS, assessing urgent capability gaps, accelerating material development, and investing in future technologies like directed energy [ 00:46:46-00:46:52 ] [ 00:47:23-00:47:59 ] .

Procurement Reform and Acceptance of Risk

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the need for acquisition reform to overcome "traditional procurement obstacles" [ 00:53:51 ]

. Mr. Beck advocated for shifting from complex, prescriptive requirements to needs-based approaches, flexible funding, and "portfolio of record" instead of rigid "programs of record" . He stressed the importance of a cultural shift within the Department of Defense to embrace risk and learn from failures, comparing it to commercial tech innovation . Congressional support was requested to enable this shift and ensure sufficient authorities and resources .

Homeland Defense and Civilian Collaboration

Concerns were raised about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the U.S. to drone attacks and the need for better information sharing with the civilian sector . Speakers discussed the importance of cross-collaboration with state, local, and federal authorities, including tabletop exercises to address policy and legal issues [ 01:01:55-01:02:30 ]

. DIU is working on advanced sensing technologies and low-collateral defeat mechanisms specifically for populated areas, involving the FAA in initiatives like Replicator 2 .

Policy, Authorities, and Rules of Engagement

The chairman expressed frustration regarding past incidents where military commanders faced ambiguity or hesitation in responding to drone incursions over bases, citing issues with higher-level support and "word salad" explanations from the Pentagon . The need for clear lines of authority and unambiguous rules of engagement was emphasized . Suggestions included amending federal law to distinguish between manned and unmanned aircraft and expanding Section 130i authorities to cover all DoD installations to enhance crisis response capabilities [ 01:16:31-01:16:33 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely serious and urgent, driven by the perceived significant and rapidly evolving threat of unmanned aerial systems [ 00:51:04-00:51:19 ]

. Speakers consistently underscored the need for faster action and adaptation, with phrases like "we must do far more" and "we must go faster" [ 00:37:17 ] . There was a palpable sense of frustration with existing bureaucratic processes and a strong plea for cultural change, particularly regarding risk aversion in procurement . Despite the challenges, there was also a shared commitment and collaborative spirit among the testifying officials, working together to address the complex problem [ 00:47:23-00:47:37 ] .