Test at Fort Rucker Marks Milestone in Counter-Drone Development
The U.S. Army has announced what it calls its first-ever air-to-air kill by an armed first-person-view (FPV) drone, a step that could influence future counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) strategy. According to an official Army Europe & Africa video release, the demonstration took place over Fort Rucker (Fort Novosel), Alabama, and involved the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and the Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (Project Shank).
How the Demonstration Worked
In the test, an FPV quadcopter—identified in open-source reporting as a SkyRaider platform—carried a Claymore anti-personnel mine as its payload. The drone maneuvered toward a target drone in flight and detonated the Claymore in close proximity, destroying the target.
Army captions note that after detonation the FPV drone briefly lost link but was able to recover, suggesting the possibility of reusing such systems in certain scenarios. While kinetic interceptors are not new, the combination of low-cost FPV platforms and man-portable munitions offers a potential answer to the “cost curve” problem in counter-drone warfare, where small hostile drones are inexpensive to field but costly to defeat.
Alignment with Army Acquisition Efforts
The demonstration aligns closely with an Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) request for information (RFI) issued on June 25, 2025. That RFI sought solutions for Man-Portable Interceptor Aircraft—lightweight, rucksack-portable systems capable of engaging and destroying small drones (Groups 1–3) beyond visual range.
The Army’s interest in man-portable interceptors reflects an ongoing push across the U.S. military for layered counter-drone capabilities, as documented in recent Congressional Research Service briefs. While systems like the Raytheon Coyote interceptor address certain mission profiles, armed FPV drones could fill a gap for dismounted soldiers and small units operating in remote or austere environments.
Strategic Context
This test comes amid rapid innovation in both offensive and defensive unmanned systems. Adversaries have increasingly employed small, fast, and expendable drones on the battlefield, forcing militaries to adapt with more agile, lower-cost countermeasures.
The Army’s Fort Rucker demonstration underscores a growing willingness to explore unconventional platforms and payloads. Whether this specific approach—arming FPV drones with explosive charges—becomes an operational capability will depend on further testing, safety evaluations, and integration into doctrine.
Under current U.S. law, only certain federal agencies are authorized to employ counter-UAS technologies. Civilian operators, including commercial drone pilots, are prohibited from using systems that intercept, disable, or destroy drones.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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