A new initiative seeks to mitigate concerns associated with unauthorized incursions by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by developing innovative new counter-drone technologies.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, aims to leverage technologies to enhance drone communications and offer novel means of combatting unauthorized drone incursions through counter-UAS capabilities.
According to a statement released by the DIU last week, the new effort will seek to address both nations’ critical operational needs in the Indo-Pacific region.
The collaboration, officially dubbed the U.S.-Singapore Joint Challenge, aims to improve both nations’ detection, tracking, and disruption capabilities regarding unauthorized UAS activity near ships operating near shore areas.
Unauthorized UAS Incursions at Sea
In recent years, several suspected unauthorized drone incidents have garnered attention from U.S. officials. In April 2021, the Pentagon confirmed that leaked footage of a series of triangular objects hovering above a ship had been obtained by U.S. Navy personnel on board the USS Russell two years earlier in 2019.
The unusual shape of the objects was later potentially explained as having been an artifact produced by an optical effect known as bokeh, where geometric shapes including triangles can be produced when a light source appears out of focus due to the specific shape of the aperture on various cameras.
In a congressional hearing held by the House Intelligence Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee in May 2022, Scott W. Bray, then the Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, said the objects had been confirmed to be “some type of drone, some type of unmanned aerial system, and it is simply that that light source resolves itself through the night vision goggles onto the SLR camera as a triangle.”
Similar incidents that occurred in 2019 also described UAS incidents several miles off the U.S. mainland near the Channel Islands, which reportedly prompted official investigations after potentially raising concerns over a possible security breach.
The new joint U.S. and Singapore effort will seek to produce new technologies capable of mitigating the security concerns generated by such incidents by developing innovative new counter-drone defense systems.
The joint effort will also focus on establishing resilient communications capabilities for small commercial drones operating primarily during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
A Challenge to Address UAS Challenges
The challenge results from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Singapore, representing a significant development in cooperative defense efforts.
The effort is also the first official project under the MOU for Defense Innovation Cooperation, signed in May by Singapore’s Chief Defence Scientist Tan Peng Yam and DIU Director Doug Beck, focusing on similar collaborations between the Pentagon and MINDEF.
Beyond potential threats associated with unauthorized UAS incidents, the project will also include efforts to scale commercial technologies to address various other military operational challenges.
“This initiative strengthens our bilateral cooperation and supports the broader goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said DIU Director Doug Beck in a statement issued by the agency last week.
Showcasing both nations’ mutual commitment to countering drone-related threats and enhancing operations in maritime environments, the challenge will give participants twelve weeks to produce innovative counter-UAS systems and drone communication capabilities. The most promising capabilities developed by participants will be considered for incorporation into future naval operations conducted by the U.S. and Singapore.
Innovative UAS Solutions Wanted
According to the DIU’s September 19th announcement, the challenge is open through the end of October and invites U.S.-based companies and those from partner nations, including NATO member countries, Five Eyes nations, and Trans-Pacific Partnership countries.
Participants’ solutions must target the detection and disruption of unauthorized drones, with an operational focus on tropical maritime environments and integration with naval ship systems.
The challenge also requires the new prospective capabilities to leverage minimal manpower and be functional within a detection range of over one kilometer with response times of less than one minute. The challenge’s winners will share a $300,000 prize pool.
“We are excited to see the technological innovations that emerge from this challenge,” Beck said last week accompanying the announcement of the new effort, which he said “will not only address security concerns posed by unauthorized drones but also enhance capabilities for disaster relief operations.”
Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.