The Army plans to test as many as 15 new drone defense systems in Morocco next spring, then move the strongest performers into soldiers’ hands within six months after the evaluations. Army officials outlined the accelerated schedule to Task & Purpose.

The planned tests will focus on protecting temporary command posts and remote military positions from hostile drones. Those threats include small aircraft that can be difficult to detect when they are not transmitting radio signals.

An Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, spokesperson said the service intends to evaluate equipment that can detect and identify small, radio silent drones from nearly a mile away. The systems must be able to perform that mission during the day or at night.

The Army also wants equipment capable of tracking larger drones from 5 miles away. For smaller drones, the desired tracking range is close to 2 miles, giving troops operating at isolated positions more awareness of approaching aircraft.

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The evaluations could include up to 15 technologies covering several parts of drone defense. Some systems would detect approaching drones, while others would physically destroy them or disable them without firing weapons.

The Army will also assess protective measures intended to limit the damage drones can cause. Together, the different technologies are meant to address detection, tracking, defeat and protection requirements at temporary or remote positions.

The effort comes as Army officials warn that potential adversaries are developing new uses for commercially available drones. Those adaptations are creating additional challenges for troops operating across remote areas where communications infrastructure is limited.

Image Credit: DoW

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“Our adversaries are rapidly adapting commercial drones, and Africa’s dispersed, bandwidth-limited environment demands low-cost, scalable systems that work in degraded conditions,” an Army spokesperson told Task & Purpose.

The Army did not say whether the planned testing is directly connected to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Officials said, however, that the service’s work to develop new military technology draws lessons from multiple regions.

“Accelerated Capability Events draw cross-theater lessons and threat trends while remaining tailored to each geographical command’s priorities,” a spokesperson for the Army’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate said.

Image Credit: DoW

Testing is scheduled to begin during February and March 2027 in Tan-Tan, Morocco. The Army has said it plans to establish a “drone academy” there for regional allies.

Additional evaluations are expected in April and May during African Lion 2027. That event is a major military exercise in Africa led by the United States and will provide another setting for examining the competing technologies.

Officials clarified that the 180 day timeline applies to placing approved equipment into soldiers’ hands following evaluation. It does not refer only to finishing the testing process, a distinction that puts operational delivery at the center of the schedule.

Image Credit: DoW

After the assessments are completed, Army officials will review how each piece of equipment performed. They will also consider feedback from soldiers before determining which technologies the service will purchase.

The approach combines initial testing in Tan-Tan with further evaluations during African Lion 2027. The Army’s stated objective is to identify useful systems, approve the best options and deliver them to troops within six months after evaluation.

The systems under consideration span both weapons and equipment designed to defeat drones without gunfire. The Army is also examining sensors and protective measures as it searches for options that can function in dispersed locations with limited bandwidth.

Image Credit: DoW

For soldiers at temporary command posts and remote positions, the tests will center on threats ranging from small, radio silent aircraft to larger drones detectable at greater distances. Performance during the evaluations and feedback from troops will shape the final purchasing decisions.

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