U.S. Deploys Anduril Counter-Drone System to Strengthen Homeland Defense Against Drone Threats.

The U.S. Army is accelerating the deployment of advanced counter-drone capabilities as small unmanned aerial vehicles emerge as one of the fastest-growing threats to homeland security, military installations, and critical infrastructure. The Washington National Guard's fielding of Anduril Industries' latest counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS), announced as part of the Pentagon's broader modernization effort, reflects a strategic push to expand specialized defenses against low-cost aerial threats that conventional air defense systems often struggle to detect and defeat.

The Anduril system combines advanced drone detection, tracking, and command-and-control capabilities to enable faster and more coordinated responses against hostile unmanned aircraft during domestic security and force protection missions. Its deployment highlights the U.S. military's growing investment in layered counter-UAS networks as commercial drone technology becomes increasingly accessible to both state and non-state adversaries, reshaping the requirements for homeland defense.

Related Topic: U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Launches New Counter-Drone Training to Prepare Soldiers for Modern Warfare

U.S. soldiers from the Washington National Guard's 10th Civil Support Team conduct field testing of Anduril Industries' Sentry counter-unmanned aircraft system during new equipment training at Camp Murray, Washington. The deployment evaluated the mobile system's ability to detect, identify and track unauthorized drones in support of homeland defense and critical infrastructure protection. (Picture source: U.S. Army)

Announced on July 29, 2026, the Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program and the 10th Civil Support Team (10th CST) received the mobile Anduril system following new equipment training at Camp Murray, Washington. The new capability significantly enhances the Guard's ability to detect, identify, track, and coordinate responses against unauthorized drones, strengthening homeland defense, force protection, and support to civil authorities while illustrating the U.S. military's broader transition toward layered counter-UAS architectures designed to address the rapid proliferation of commercial drone technology among both state and non-state adversaries.

The acquisition reflects the United States' growing emphasis on expanding counter-drone capabilities beyond overseas combat operations and into homeland defense. Small commercial unmanned aerial vehicles have become increasingly accessible to state and non-state actors, creating new vulnerabilities around military installations, critical infrastructure, emergency response operations and mass gatherings. By equipping National Guard units with sophisticated detection and command-and-control systems, U.S. authorities aim to improve situational awareness while strengthening coordination between military organizations and civilian law enforcement agencies responsible for domestic security.

The urgency behind this modernization effort has been reinforced by lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine, where inexpensive commercial and military unmanned aerial vehicles have fundamentally transformed the battlefield. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces employ drones for reconnaissance, artillery fire correction, electronic warfare, precision strikes and long-range attacks against logistics hubs and critical infrastructure. The conflict has demonstrated that relatively low-cost unmanned aircraft can threaten forces and facilities that were previously considered secure, prompting militaries worldwide to accelerate investment in layered counter-UAS capabilities.

The Anduril UK team demonstrated Anduril's full end to end base defense capabilities for the UK Strategic Command.

Similar concerns have also emerged within the United States. Recent unauthorized drone incursions around American military installations, strategic infrastructure and sensitive government facilities have highlighted vulnerabilities in domestic airspace security. Although many incidents have involved commercially available systems, U.S. defense officials have repeatedly warned that similar technologies could be exploited for espionage, sabotage or attacks against military bases and public gatherings. These developments have accelerated Department of Defense efforts to field mobile counter-UAS capabilities that support both military operations and homeland security missions.

According to the Washington National Guard, the fielded Anduril solution integrates multiple complementary sensors into a single networked architecture capable of identifying and tracking small unmanned aircraft at extended ranges. The system combines the Long Range Camera Tower with the WISP detection system, the Pulsar radio frequency sensor and Anduril's Lattice software environment, which fuses data from multiple sensors into a common operational picture for operators.

The Long Range Camera Tower provides persistent electro-optical surveillance over large areas, allowing operators to maintain visual tracking of airborne objects at significant distances. Working alongside it is the WISP detection system, which serves as the primary sensing layer for identifying low, slow and small unmanned aircraft that are often difficult to detect using conventional air surveillance radars. Although Anduril has released only limited technical specifications, WISP combines electro-optical imaging, passive radio frequency sensing and advanced software analytics to detect, classify and continuously track drones while reducing false alarms generated by birds or environmental clutter.

Supporting WISP is Pulsar, Anduril's passive radio frequency sensing system. Instead of emitting radar energy, Pulsar continuously monitors the electromagnetic spectrum for communication links between drones and their operators. By detecting and analyzing radio frequency emissions, the sensor can identify commercial and modified unmanned aircraft even before they become visible to optical sensors. When several Pulsar sensors operate together, they can estimate both the drone's position and the location of its operator through radio frequency geolocation techniques, providing valuable intelligence for military commanders and civilian law enforcement agencies.

At the center of the architecture is Lattice, Anduril's artificial intelligence enabled command and control software environment. Rather than serving only as a display interface, Lattice fuses information from cameras, radio frequency sensors and other surveillance assets into a single real-time operational picture. Artificial intelligence algorithms automatically correlate detections from multiple sensors, classify potential threats, prioritize targets according to operational criteria and alert operators to suspicious activity. The result is faster decision making, reduced operator workload and improved situational awareness during complex security missions.

Lattice also features an open and scalable software architecture that can integrate additional sensors such as radar, acoustic detectors, electronic support systems and other government or commercial surveillance assets. This modular design allows military organizations to adapt the system to different operational environments, including military installations, airports, ports, energy infrastructure and major public events. For National Guard missions, the networked architecture also enables more effective information sharing with agencies including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement organizations, strengthening coordinated responses while operating within domestic legal authorities.

The growing investment in systems such as Anduril's also reflects increasing concern over the rapid expansion of Chinese and Russian unmanned capabilities. China has become the world's leading producer of commercial drones while simultaneously developing an extensive family of military unmanned aerial vehicles ranging from tactical reconnaissance systems to long-endurance strike drones. Russia has accelerated domestic drone production and employs large numbers of reconnaissance and one-way attack drones throughout the war in Ukraine. These developments have reinforced the Pentagon's assessment that future conflicts will involve large numbers of inexpensive and expendable unmanned aircraft operating alongside traditional aircraft and missiles, requiring highly networked detection, identification and command-and-control capabilities.

Together, the Long Range Camera Tower, WISP, Pulsar and Lattice provide a layered counter-UAS capability that combines passive detection, artificial intelligence driven data fusion and networked command and control. Rather than relying on a single sensor, the system continuously correlates radio frequency emissions, electro-optical imagery and geospatial information to improve detection accuracy, increase warning time and support faster operational decisions. This multi-sensor approach has become increasingly important as modern drones employ autonomous navigation, encrypted communications and low-altitude flight profiles that reduce the effectiveness of traditional air defense sensors.

During the week-long new equipment training, U.S. Soldiers learned how to rapidly deploy the equipment in field conditions, calibrate multiple sensors and integrate the system into a unified command and control environment. Beyond familiarization with the technology itself, the exercise examined how operators would sustain the capability during prolonged homeland security operations, including transportation, logistics, personnel requirements and interagency communications. The after-action review also identified requirements for expanded operator training, additional personnel, equipment refinements and closer coordination with federal agencies as the capability continues to mature.

Maj. Ryan Dykes, commander of the Washington National Guard's 10th Civil Support Team, described the fielding as a critical milestone that immediately advances the unit's ability to defend public events and critical infrastructure from evolving drone threats. He added that the team's role extends beyond operating the equipment, as it will help establish personnel, training and logistical requirements that can guide future counter-UAS deployments across Civil Support Teams nationwide.

The capability significantly broadens the mission profile of the 10th Civil Support Team, whose primary responsibility has traditionally focused on responding to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards. According to Lt. Col. Wes Watson, former commander of the 10th CST and current director of the Commander's Action Group for Counter-UAS Operations, drones represent an increasingly effective delivery mechanism for chemical, biological, radiological and explosive payloads. Integrating counter-UAS systems into Civil Support Team operations therefore strengthens the Guard's ability not only to detect airborne threats but also to respond to incidents involving suspected weapons of mass destruction delivered by unmanned aircraft.

The deployment also builds upon operational experience gained during National Special Security Events, Super Bowl security missions, and preparations for the FIFA World Cup. Those operations demonstrated the growing need for persistent surveillance against unauthorized drones capable of disrupting public safety, collecting intelligence or interfering with emergency response activities. Washington National Guard officials believe counter-UAS operations alongside federal and state law enforcement agencies will remain a permanent homeland security mission well beyond the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations.

The program also highlights the expanding role of Anduril Industries within U.S. defense modernization and homeland security. Over the past several years, the company has secured a growing portfolio of Pentagon contracts covering counter-UAS systems, autonomous surveillance networks, artificial intelligence-enabled command and control software, autonomous underwater vehicles, autonomous air systems, border security technologies and other advanced defense capabilities. The California-based company has rapidly established itself as one of the Department of Defense's fastest-growing non-traditional defense contractors by emphasizing software-defined capabilities, autonomous systems and rapid technology development that complement traditional defense procurement programs.

The deployment aligns closely with broader Pentagon procurement priorities that increasingly favor integrated sensor networks instead of standalone detection systems. Rather than relying on a single radar or optical sensor, modern counter-UAS architectures combine electro-optical surveillance, passive radio frequency detection, artificial intelligence-enabled data fusion, and networked command and control. This approach supports the Department of Defense's broader Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategy by allowing information from multiple sensors to be rapidly shared across military organizations and civilian agencies, improving operational effectiveness against increasingly complex aerial threats while strengthening the protection of critical national infrastructure.

Legal authorities remain an important consideration as the capability matures. While National Guard personnel can detect, classify, and track unauthorized unmanned aircraft, certain mitigation measures require specific federal authorization depending on the operational environment. Continued coordination with agencies including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and state and local law enforcement organizations will therefore remain essential to ensure effective protection of military installations, critical infrastructure and major public events while operating within established domestic legal authorities.

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, said Washington continues to lead national efforts in planning, equipping and training forces to counter hostile drones. He noted that the state's Counterdrug Program and acquisition of the Anduril system, accelerated through FIFA World Cup preparations, are helping address legal, policy and operational challenges associated with domestic counter-UAS employment while ensuring the National Guard remains prepared for future threats.

The fielding represents more than the introduction of new surveillance equipment. It serves as an operational testbed for how the National Guard will integrate advanced counter-drone capabilities into homeland defense missions nationwide. As lessons from Ukraine, growing Chinese and Russian drone capabilities, and repeated drone incursions around sensitive U.S. facilities continue to reshape defense planning, the experience gained by the Washington National Guard is expected to influence doctrine, training standards, and future procurement programs across the National Guard. The deployment therefore represents not only a significant enhancement of Washington State's homeland security capabilities but also an important milestone in the Pentagon's broader effort to build a resilient, layered homeland air defense architecture capable of countering one of the fastest evolving security challenges facing the United States.

Explore More Defense News

• Land Defense News
• Naval Defense News
• Defense Aerospace News

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.