The US Department for War has announced the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has reached a USD5.2 million agreement to provide U.S. forces with the Bumblebee V2 counter-drone system, a low-cost, low-collateral kinetic interceptor to defeat illicit drones at home and abroad.
“The agreement was awarded Jan. 30, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March,” says the department. “The Bumblebee V2 is a next-generation first-person-view multirotor drone, designed to physically intercept and neutralize hostile small unmanned aircraft systems. This capability is achieved through a drone-on-drone collision, in which the Bumblebee V2 directly engages the threat, rendering both aircraft inoperable. This method provides a precise countermeasure that minimizes collateral damage, making it a safe and effective option for protecting troops on the battlefield and critical infrastructure in the homeland.”
“This decision puts kinetic [counter-small] UAS capability into the hands of our troops immediately,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, JIATF-401 director. “The Bumblebee V2 provides a cost-effective, reliable interceptor that can neutralize threats without endangering our own forces or surrounding infrastructure. On the modern battlefield, where drones are a constant threat, having a low-collateral kinetic option is not just an advantage; it is increasingly becoming essential for protecting our forces.”
The Army’s Global Response Force will operationally assess the Bumblebee V2 in support of the recently established Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost.
“The Bumblebee V2 is fully [National Defense Authorization Act]-compliant and is equipped with cutting-edge software that allows it to identify, track and collide with other drones,” said Army Maj. Cole Price, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 assistant capability manager. “This provides a crucial capability for our forces to counter the growing threat of autonomous systems.”
For more information
https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4401450/jiatf-401-announces-kinetic-counter-drone-system-enhancing-warfighter-lethality/
(Image: Soldiers assigned to various U.S. Army Europe and Africa units prepare for an initial familiarization flight using a Bumblebee quadcopter as part of a training exercise in Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan 28. 2026. The exercise trains and certifies instructors on Bumblebee drone systems, ensuring soldiers can safely operate and teach others to use the platform. Photographer – Army Spc Adrian Greenwood – US Department for War)
