US Army Tests Dronebuster Counter-UAS in Poland for European Theater Operations
The US Army tested the Dronebuster counter-UAS in Poland to improve readiness against drone threats, combining hands-on and classroom training. This handheld device disrupts enemy drones with electronic signals, enhancing operational security.
The US Army recently tested the Dronebuster counter-unmanned aerial system (c-UAS) in Boleslawiec, Poland, to enhance European theater operations. The Dronebuster is a handheld device that disrupts enemy drones by firing electronic signals to disable them.
The trial lasted for two days, combining classroom sessions with hands-on demonstrations. This event marked the initial deployment of the Dronebuster for the 1st Cavalry Division Main Command Post Operational Detachment personnel from the Texas Army National Guard. This division was among the first to receive the Dronebuster in 2023.
Training sessions were conducted by the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Air and Missile Defense Systems Integrators and c-UAS Mobile Training Specialists. Brien Conner, a c-UAS Mobile Trainer, emphasized the importance of preparing units for the evolving drone threat on the battlefield. "The drone threat has completely changed. If the units are not preparing for that, we don’t want them to be caught off-guard," Conner explained.
Similar training was also conducted at Fort Cavazos, Texas, following the Dronebuster’s initial deployment. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Benjamin Richards, an Air and Missile Integrator, organized both the Polish and Texas tests. Richards highlighted the importance of early training to ensure soldiers are familiar with the equipment and capable of mitigating drone threats effectively.
The Dronebuster, developed by Flex Force, can operate for 1 to 3 hours in jamming mode and more than 10 hours in detection mode, depending on the variant. The device weighs between 1.9 to 2.8 kilograms (4.2 to 6.2 pounds) and is powered by NATO-standard batteries, making it suitable for both military and civilian use. Basic operation training for the Dronebuster takes less than five minutes, making it accessible for troops with little to no prior experience.
Flex Force subsidiary Radio Hill Technologies (RHT) has been instrumental in the development and distribution of the Dronebuster. By February 2022, RHT had delivered its 1,000th Dronebuster, just three years after merging with Flex Force. The US Air Force was one of the early adopters, signing a contract in 2017 for 100 units. By the end of that year, 200 units had been delivered to the Pentagon and NATO partners.
In addition to the trials in Poland, the Dronebuster has been used in various military exercises, including Eager Lion 2024 in Jordan. This multilateral exercise involved 33 nations and aimed to enhance military expertise and interoperability among partner nations. The Dronebuster’s role in these exercises underscores its growing importance in countering the increasing threat posed by drones on the modern battlefield.
By integrating the Dronebuster into their operations, the US Army is taking significant steps to improve their readiness and capabilities in dealing with drone threats. As drone technology continues to evolve, so too must the strategies and tools used to counter them. The Dronebuster represents a crucial component in this ongoing effort to maintain operational security and effectiveness in the face of new challenges.
