The US Army’s Fort Bragg Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP) has tested low-cost counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) solutions that use legacy Army weaponry.
Soldiers assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit, 1st Special Forces Command and the 82nd Airborne Division conducted an anti‑drone training and data‑collection exercise at a local range near Fort Bragg, North Carolina from May 5–7, 2026. They tested their C-UAS skills using standardised Army weaponry, focusing on engaging both surveillance and weaponised drones.
A key objective of the event was to gather data on the effectiveness of various ammunition types against FPV drones travelling at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour. The C5ISR International Technology Integrators, working in partnership with the JIOP, oversaw the data collection and performance evaluations.
In addition to live FPV drone engagements, soldiers practiced marksmanship and tracking using clay pigeons and paper targets.
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Image: A drone operator assigned to 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) pilots a UAS at a counter-drone range in Ellerbe, North Carolina, May 5, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Ssg. Gabriel E. Davis)
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