By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President – News
In the wake of scores of missile and drone attacks by Iran and its proxies, US military officials met Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with partners from the Gulf Cooperation Council.
They split into two working groups – one of maritime security and another on air and missile defense.
Last month, Iran and allies in Syria and Yemen launched more than 300 airborne weapons at Israel. They include more than 150 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). The U.S., Israel and other partners destroyed a large portion of them before they reached their targets.
“This attack really was a watershed moment in the Middle East,” according to a senior defense official. “ Together with our partners, we…. Successfully defeated Iran’s attack, and that’s a stark testament to the valued of integrated air and missile defense and its vital importance for regional stability.”
Meanwhile, since October, there have been more than 90 drone attacks by Houthis against international shipping in the Red Sea.
US Marine Corps Gen. Mahoney Cites Growing Drone Fleet
US Navy ships in the region have demonstrated a highly effective counter-drone system, which includes a series of layered defenses, countermeasures and interceptor weapons. Last weekend, the destroyer USS Carney returned to its homeport of Mayport, Florida after conducting 51 engagements against Houthi weapons. Those included drones, land attack cruise missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles.
So far, the drones launched by the Houthis haven’t been very accurate. But the Navy isn’t counting on that to continue. So it’s looking or more high-tech solutions.
A startup in Colorado, SmartRounds, has developed a platform called “Savage” designed to counter a drone swarm. It’s capable of firing 64 ultra low-cost missiles that use an artificial intelligence-enhanced targeting algorithm.
At the same time, the Pentagon has been funding microwave weapons which use radiation to disrupt drones’ guidance systems. And the Navy has already demonstrated the capability of laser weapons to destroy drones.
The goal in all of this, of course, is to stay at least one step ahead of enemies deploying drones.
