US Expands Drone and Counter-Drone Programs

- The V-BAT drone is manufactured by Shield AI and is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, meaning it doesn't require a runway and can operate in confined spaces as small as 12 by 12 feet. It is powered by a single ducted fan and can be equipped with various payloads for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Coast Guard is expanding its use from sea to land to enhance ocean surveillance and support a range of operations including search and rescue, drug interdiction, and border security. - Shield AI's V-BAT is also being positioned for more advanced autonomous roles, with the introduction of "V-BAT Teams," a swarming capability powered by the Hivemind AI pilot that allows a single operator to command multiple aircraft. This aligns with the Pentagon's Replicator initiative, which aims to rapidly deploy large numbers of autonomous systems. - The "Wild Dog" tactical loitering munition is being developed by Stratin Engineering and is designed to be a self-propelled, guided munition that can be launched from a larger drone or a manned aircraft. It is intended to autonomously navigate to and engage moving targets up to 20 km away without human intervention after the target is designated. - Loitering munitions, often called "kamikaze drones," are a rapidly growing category of weapons. Other major U.S. programs include AeroVironment's Switchblade, which has been used extensively in Ukraine and is being procured by the U.S. Army under a $990 million contract. U.S. Special Operations Command also recently awarded a $73.5 million contract for the Hero-120SF loitering munition. - The Skydio drone docks for the LAPD are part of a "Drone as First Responder" (DFR) program, which aims to provide real-time aerial intelligence to officers before they arrive on a scene. The weatherproof docks house and recharge the Skydio X10 drones, allowing them to be launched autonomously and remotely in under 20 seconds to provide situational awareness for 911 calls. - The LAPD's $4 million deal is part of a larger $3.9 million funding package, combining a $2.1 million donation from the Los Angeles Police Foundation with a $1.8 million retail theft grant. This will fund a three-year contract with Skydio for the drones, 23 docking stations, and services, to be installed at various police divisions and commercial centers like The Grove and Palisades Village. - The Skydio DFR system includes DFR Command software, which allows a single remote pilot to manage multiple drone operations from a central command center. This centralized control is a key feature for scaling drone operations without requiring a pilot for every drone deployed. - Data management is a key concern for law enforcement. According to the LAPD, all flight data and video from the Skydio drones are automatically uploaded to the department's evidence database when the drone returns to its dock, and the department maintains complete control over the data.