The Dutch Army has been using the SMASH Fire Control System from Smart Shooter to take down drones. This new attachment allows for the user to easily detect and shoot down a drone with a rifle. Air Force, Special Forces, and the Marines have been testing and practicing with the new technology in the village of ‘t Harde, Netherlands..
Source; https://dronedj.com/2020/10/29/dutch-army-takes-down-drones-with-the-smart-shooter-system/
In the United Kingdom researchers are using drones to distribute wireless sensors in hard-to-reach places. Previously, drones would simply drop or place a sensor and hope for the best. Now, the drones are shooting little darts into trees and other surfaces that contain the sensors. Researchers also noted that while the system currently uses darts, they could also utilize chemical bonding, magnets, or adhesive.
Source: https://dronedj.com/2020/10/29/drone-shoots-darts-into-trees-to-collect-data-in-dangerous-areas/
Overcoming the threat of drone swarms have changed. The US Army is now calling on new technology to test available defense capabilities, pre-emptive, and long term. The Pentagon has responded and, in late September, approved a set of requirements to help counter small drones, laying a path for how the industry can develop technology to plug into a single command-and-control system. This project would be followed by developing and fielding a long-term system that will easily swap out old capabilities.
China recently performed a test involving a swarm of loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones. The China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology carried out the test and have been performing swarming drone tests for years. The name of the drones have not been released, and it is unclear if they are currently in use by the military or other organizations.
