First US Army Airborne FPV Drone Kill Marks Tactical Shift in Aerial Interdiction Strategy.

On August 6, 2025, the U.S. Army reached a significant milestone as the 173rd Airborne Brigade ‘Sky Soldiers’ successfully conducted the first airborne interception of an unmanned aerial vehicle using an armed first-person view (FPV) drone. The test, conducted at Fort Rucker under the direction of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) as part of Project Shank, represents a turning point in American drone warfare tactics, as reported by U.S. Army sources. The test utilized a SkyRaider drone equipped with a Claymore anti-personnel mine, marking the first documented air-to-air kill of a drone by another armed FPV drone within the U.S. military. This demonstration, held just before the U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Summit, comes at a time when counter-drone capabilities are increasingly prioritized in response to emerging global threats.
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The successful air-to-air interception by an armed FPV drone marks a significant transformation in U.S. military capability (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The SkyRaider drone, developed by Aeryon Defense USA, was selected for its modular and open-architecture platform, allowing a wide range of payload configurations. During the engagement, the SkyRaider was piloted in FPV mode against a target drone simulating an enemy platform. Once the Claymore detonated mid-flight, the target drone was destroyed. Although the SkyRaider briefly lost control and communications due to the blast impact, it quickly recovered, demonstrating its potential as a reusable interceptor, a rare capability among current loitering munitions or single-use systems. The success of this test validates the practicality of arming light drones with non-traditional payloads, a tactic inspired by battlefield innovations seen during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

This operational achievement reflects a broader shift in U.S. military doctrine as it assimilates combat lessons from Eastern Europe. The Ukraine war has demonstrated the critical role of FPV drones in both reconnaissance and direct strikes, especially against mobile or concealed targets. By leveraging these battlefield insights, the U.S. Army has accelerated development of its own FPV platforms through initiatives like Project Shank. Unlike conventional counter-drone systems such as the Coyote interceptor or laser-based defenses, the SkyRaider offers a compact, low-cost, and rapidly deployable solution, ideal for units operating in forward or contested environments where infrastructure is limited and threats are agile.

Strategically, the implications of this innovation are profound. The deployment of weaponized FPV drones capable of aerial interception introduces a flexible layer of defense against drone swarms and other unmanned threats. It enhances operational autonomy at the tactical level, especially for airborne and light infantry units that lack access to traditional air defense systems. In geopolitical terms, this capability underscores the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining aerial superiority in the face of evolving asymmetric threats, particularly as near-peer adversaries invest heavily in autonomous systems. The SkyRaider’s modularity and reusability further enable scalable integration across various combat units, aligning with the Army’s multi-domain operations concept.

While the specific acquisition cost of the SkyRaider remains undisclosed, its commercial base suggests a cost-effective profile compared to purpose-built military interceptors. No formal contract has yet been announced following the Fort Rucker demonstration, but DEVCOM’s direct involvement and the platform’s operational success strongly indicate that procurement is likely imminent. Earlier this year, the Army awarded a separate FPV development contract for experimentation, but the results of Project Shank may shift future funding priorities toward proven reusable interceptor models such as the SkyRaider.

The successful air-to-air interception by an armed FPV drone marks a significant transformation in U.S. military capability. By adapting to the realities of drone-dominated battlefields and drawing from real-world combat lessons, the Army is shaping a future where tactical units are empowered with smart, lethal, and scalable aerial tools. Project Shank's breakthrough is more than a test, it is a strategic signal of how the U.S. intends to fight and win in the skies of tomorrow.