Five hundred drones, seized from China and once a potential security concern, are about to face a dramatically different fate. They won’t be gathering dust in a warehouse, nor will they be destroyed in a fiery spectacle. Instead, they’re becoming targets – crucial tools in a high-stakes training exercise for America’s elite fighting forces.
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has devised a uniquely practical approach to understanding the threat posed by these unmanned aerial vehicles. Rather than employing complex weaponry, troops will be utilizing shotguns – a method described as akin to hunting, bringing a surprisingly analog solution to a very modern problem.
Over three days in December, at Camp Blanding, these confiscated drones will be relentlessly engaged by Navy SEALs, Marines, and Army Rangers. This isn’t simply about destruction; it’s about developing critical skills in counter-drone tactics, learning to identify vulnerabilities, and mastering the art of taking down these aerial adversaries.
The training, dubbed “Military Drone Crucible,” will simulate realistic combat scenarios. Troops will practice clearing rooms while facing drone threats, and honing their ability to neutralize drones targeting moving convoys. The goal is to prepare for the increasingly common reality of drone warfare.
This event is poised to be the largest of its kind in the United States, dwarfing a similar exercise held in September at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. That event saw 49 drones disabled using an electromagnetic weapon, but the upcoming Crucible promises a far more extensive and hands-on experience.
The decision to utilize these seized drones for training comes after a recent policy shift aimed at bolstering American drone production. Earlier this year, regulations were streamlined to accelerate domestic drone manufacturing, directly responding to the growing capabilities of drone programs in Russia and China.
The confiscated drones, now repurposed as training targets, represent more than just hardware. They symbolize a proactive response to a rapidly evolving threat, and a commitment to equipping American forces with the skills needed to dominate the skies in future conflicts.
