U.S. Army Northern Command certified a new rapid response team to neutralize drone threats against domestic military installations, marking a significant operational shift in homeland defense.
The 11-soldier unit demonstrated proficiency with Anduril Industries’ Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) fly-away kit during successful field exercises. The team is now authorized for immediate deployment, moving beyond an advisory role. It can detect and defeat small unmanned aircraft. The development addresses growing concerns about unauthorized drone incursions, protecting critical U.S. military infrastructure.
Rigorous field tests in Florida and North Dakota validated the team’s operational readiness. At Minot Air Force Base, N.D., from October 21-27, 2025, the unit successfully engaged over 100 simulated targets. It proved its ability to detect, track, identify, and mitigate drone incursions. This marks the first time a newly formed U.S. Northern Command team deployed with the specialized C-sUAS fly-away kit for such an evaluation.
Anduril’s Counter-small UAS fly-away kit integrates multiple technologies to create a comprehensive defensive web. The system provides active and passive detection capabilities, allowing the team to identify drones from multiple directions. Once detected, the kit offers low-collateral non-kinetic and low-kinetic defeat options. This enables targeted threat neutralization with minimized ancillary damage. The Anvil drone interceptor, deployed during the Minot Air Force Base exercise, exemplifies this technology.
General Gregory Guillot, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and USNORTHCOM, highlighted the development’s significance. “The validation and certification of our Counter-small UAS fly-away kit is an important step in being able to support installation commanders within the United States as they defend against drone incursions,” Guillot told Defense News. He emphasized the shift, stating, “Moving beyond an advisory role, we now have a team with equipment that is able to rapidly deploy.” Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joey Frey, the command’s C-sUAS response program manager, said the team “far exceeded expectations,” highlighting its exceptional performance.
This new operational capability reinforces the U.S. Army’s evolving strategies. It safeguards domestic assets against complex modern aerial threats, ensuring a proactive defense posture.
