Strengthening Counter-UAS Capabilities in Morocco
The United States Army is set to enhance its counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) capabilities through a strategic partnership with the Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Army’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD). This collaborative effort will focus on testing and validating up to 15 innovative C-UAS technologies in Morocco, with the objective of deploying these systems to soldiers within a rapid timeframe of 180 days. The initiative is particularly significant as it marks a proactive approach to countering the increasing proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems, which pose a growing threat to security operations globally.
The initial phase of this program, referred to as the Accelerated Capability Event (ACE), is scheduled to take place in spring 2027. It will center on the evaluation of Group 1–3 small UAS, which are typically categorized by their size and operational capabilities. The U.S. Army has recognized Morocco's unique geographic advantages, citing its "open spectrum, uncongested airspace, and diverse terrain" as factors that make it an ideal testing ground—attributes that are not readily found in training ranges within the United States or Europe.
As part of this comprehensive C-UAS validation process, SETAF-AF will conduct a soldier-led demonstration in Tan-Tan, Morocco, during February and March of 2027. This will be followed by an operational assessment during the African Lion 2027 exercise, further integrating these technologies into real-world training scenarios. The G-TEAD will oversee the validation of the C-UAS solutions across five distinct capability categories, which include integrated fly-away kits, small UAS detection, kinetic defeat mechanisms, nonkinetic defeat options, and passive protection measures.
This initiative not only underscores the importance of enhancing C-UAS capabilities but also reflects the ongoing commitment of the U.S. Army to collaborate with international partners in addressing emerging threats in modern warfare. The collaboration with Morocco further demonstrates a strategic alignment that is expected to yield significant advancements in tactical operations and defense readiness.
As reported by unmannedairspace.info.
