Countermeasures are needed to tackle multiple small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) being used against deployed US forces, according to a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. High-performance drones can be modified to carry lethal weapons, identify long-range targets, and carry out electronic warfare strikes.

The US Army and Department of Defence (DoD) are already developing countermeasures to fight single UAS, more commonly known as drones, but the report highlights the need for separate measures against multiple drones coordinated in groups. The committee that authored the report was asked by the US Army to assess the threat from UAS. It examined the current capabilities of military units to counter them, assessed related human performance issues, and identified technologies appropriate for short- and long-term science and technology investments by the Army.