JIATF-401 Announces Kinetic Counter-Drone System; Enhancing Warfighter Lethality

The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced a $5.2 million agreement Feb. 4 to provide U.S. forces with the Bumblebee V2 counter-drone system, a low-cost, low-collateral kinetic interceptor to defeat illicit drones at home and abroad.

The agreement was awarded Jan. 30, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March. The Bumblebee V2 is a next-generation first-person-view multirotor drone, designed to physically intercept and neutralize hostile small unmanned aircraft systems. This capability is achieved through a drone-on-drone collision, in which the Bumblebee V2 directly engages the threat, rendering both aircraft inoperable. This method provides a precise countermeasure that minimizes collateral damage, making it a safe and effective option for protecting troops on the battlefield and critical infrastructure in the homeland.

"This decision puts kinetic [counter-small] UAS capability into the hands of our troops immediately," said Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, JIATF-401 director. "The Bumblebee V2 provides a cost-effective, reliable interceptor that can neutralize threats without endangering our own forces or surrounding infrastructure. On the modern battlefield, where drones are a constant threat, having a low-collateral kinetic option is not just an advantage; it is increasingly becoming essential for protecting our forces."

The Army's Global Response Force will operationally assess the Bumblebee V2 in support of the recently established Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost. This assessment will ensure the system meets the nation's toughest demands for units that train to rapidly deploy on high-stakes missions across the globe, aligning with the outpost's goal to accelerate the delivery of top-tier technology to warfighters.

"The Bumblebee V2 is fully [National Defense Authorization Act]-compliant and is equipped with cutting-edge software that allows it to identify, track and collide with other drones," said Army Maj. Cole Price, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 assistant capability manager. "This provides a crucial capability for our forces to counter the growing threat of autonomous systems."