Organic Red Air: The Missing Link to C-sUAS in LSCO
It is no secret anymore that drones are redefining modern warfare. Militaries are no longer limiting small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) to simple reconnaissance and are weaponizing them for devastating strikes, electronic warfare, and battlefield disruption. The war in Ukraine and China’s rapid drone advancements serve as stark reminders that the US Army must evolve or risk falling behind.1 To maintain superiority, the Army must do more than defend against enemy drones—it must harness their potential as offensive weapons and integrate them into its warfighting strategy.
In recent years, the Army has implemented several Counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-sUAS), such as the DroneBuster and FS-LIDS, to counter this evolving battlefield.2 However, technology alone is insufficient without a well-trained operator. Current training heavily relies on contracted drone pilots, leaving soldiers without the hands-on experience needed to counter enemy drones in combat effectively. Without an organic Red Air capability at the division echelon, soldiers will be disadvantaged against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats. A dedicated Red Air at the division echelon would ensure realistic training, enhance combat readiness, and empower commanders with offensive drone capabilities, ultimately giving the Army an edge in future conflicts.