The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has directed the Secretary of the Army to formally establish the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) for countering small uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS).
A memo to senior defense leaders states that the current Joint Counter small UAS Office (JCO) disestablishment will take effect upon the establishment of JIATF 401. The JIATF 401 will have a sunset review at 36 months.
The Task Force will report to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, to better align authorities and resources to rapidly deliver joint C-sUAS capabilities.
The Deputy Secretary of Defense will consolidate all DoD-wide C-sUAS research, development, test and evaluation efforts and resources under the JIATF 401, except for Military Service-specific and US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) C-sUAS programme of record development activities.
According to the memo, the JIATF 401 Director will determine whether new Military Service-specific C-sUAS will be adopted, and may approve up to USD 50 million in funding per effort.
For more information
Department of Defense – United States
Image: US soldiers test part of the Mobile-Low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System, at Udari Range, Kuwait, on July 30, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Austin May)
