U.S. Army to Test 15 Counter-Drone Systems in Morocco to Protect Troops at Forward Command Posts.

The U.S. Army is preparing to evaluate up to 15 counter-drone systems in Morocco in 2027 as part of an initiative to accelerate the acquisition of new capabilities against unmanned aircraft. The trials will take place near Tan-Tan, where American forces will assess several technologies intended to protect forward command posts and deployed units against aerial threats.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Santiago explains the capabilities of the Bumblebee counter-drone system during African Lion 2026 in Agadir, Morocco, on April 27, 2026. (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The initiative brings together the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD). Through the Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) program, the Army aims to shorten the interval between identifying an operational requirement, evaluating available solutions, and delivering equipment to soldiers, with a target of 180 days.

In an announcement published on October 16, 2026, the U.S. Army confirmed that initial demonstrations will take place in February and March 2027, followed by an operational assessment in April and May during African Lion 2027. G-TEAD will work with Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires to validate up to 15 solutions, with the aim of selecting equipment that could eventually be introduced more widely across American forces.

The program addresses a growing requirement for protection against Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aircraft, ranging from small reconnaissance drones to larger tactical UAVs. These aircraft can conduct surveillance, identify artillery positions, or carry explosive payloads against exposed personnel and equipment. Their use creates additional difficulties for units establishing temporary positions, particularly when conventional air defense assets are not yet available.

The evaluations will cover five capability categories, beginning with an integrated, transportable counter-UAS kit intended to provide a rapidly deployable defensive package. Four additional categories will address drone detection, kinetic defeat, nonkinetic defeat, and passive protection. Detection equipment may rely on radars, electro-optical sensors, or radio-frequency monitoring systems, while kinetic solutions physically destroy hostile aircraft using interceptors or other weapons. Nonkinetic systems generally employ electronic warfare techniques to disrupt drone communications or navigation. However, the U.S. Army has not yet identified the manufacturers or specific models that will participate in the trials.

Related News: U.S. Army Tests Bumblebee Counter-Drone System Against Deadly FPV Drone Threats

Several recent acquisitions nevertheless provide an indication of the technologies already selected by G-TEAD under its counter-drone programs. In 2026, the directorate acquired 50 Merops counter-UAS systems before concluding an agreement with the American company Perennial Autonomy covering approximately $6 million in additional equipment, including the Merops, Hornet, and Bumblebee systems. These solutions reflect the Army's interest in mobile interception capabilities designed to address the increasing use of drones on the battlefield. Merops has notably been deployed in Poland and Romania to contribute to the protection of NATO's eastern flank. However, none of these systems has been confirmed as a participant in the evaluations scheduled for Morocco in 2027.

The Bumblebee interceptor drone provides another example of this approach. Developed to intercept hostile aircraft, it has undergone testing aimed at improving autonomous target identification and aerial interception. In April 2026, soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division participated in Bumblebee V2 trials at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The system was also demonstrated to American military personnel during African Lion 2026 in Agadir, Morocco, as part of counter-drone training activities. These earlier experiments illustrate the Army's interest in interception solutions that can be operated directly by ground units.

Integration with the U.S. Army's counter-UAS command-and-control architecture, identified as the Integrated Battle Command System-Maneuver, is another central element of the program. This connection is intended to allow detection and engagement assets to function within a coordinated defensive network rather than as independent systems. American authorities have not disclosed the expected performance requirements regarding detection range, engagement distance, or the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.

The selection process will also involve direct participation by soldiers before the operational assessment phase. According to Colonel Christopher Hill, director of G-TEAD, approximately 15 industry participants are expected to take part in the initial demonstrations, after which around five solutions will undergo a 45-day improvement period. Manufacturers will be able to modify their equipment based on feedback from military personnel in the field, addressing problems identified during the initial trials before the final evaluations.

Morocco offers conditions suited to these experiments. The U.S. Army has highlighted the country's relatively uncongested airspace, electromagnetic environment favorable to testing, and varied terrain, characteristics that can be difficult to reproduce at American and European training ranges. These conditions will allow personnel to examine sensor performance, electronic countermeasures, and engagement procedures across different environments.

For deployed forces, the operational requirement is to maintain protection while establishing command posts, communications equipment, or logistics areas. Small drones can approach from several directions, exploit terrain, and threaten personnel before air defense systems become fully operational. A transportable counter-UAS package combining early detection, target identification, and multiple interception methods could reduce these vulnerabilities. Its effectiveness will nevertheless depend on deployment speed, the ability to distinguish hostile aircraft from friendly drones, and the capacity to engage threats without interfering with other military operations.

Washington aims to turn technologies selected from industry into equipment that can be rapidly distributed to ground formations. Testing in Morocco will help determine whether these solutions can operate under the constraints of overseas deployments before potential procurement decisions. This approach is also relevant to NATO's eastern flank, where drone incursions and lessons from the war in Ukraine have increased requirements for short-range air defense. For U.S. forces, the priority is to develop capabilities that complement conventional air defense systems, reducing the need to employ expensive missiles against unmanned aircraft that can be manufactured and deployed in large numbers.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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