A layered approach to drone defense: CACI produces counter-uncrewed systems solutions to help mitigate a fast-evolving threat

In April 2024, Iran launched more than 170 drones toward Israel as part of a retaliatory attack. In the same month, Houthi rebels conducted numerous one-way drone attacks toward U.S. and coalition ships and also shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone. Meanwhile in Ukraine, hundreds of small drones continue to be launched by both sides to locate or strike targets, fundamentally limiting the ability to move expensive platforms such as tanks and armored carriers.

As new uncrewed systems and platforms are revealed seemingly daily, there is no denying that the drone era is well under way. With it comes a significant need for responsive counter-systems that can quickly detect and eliminate autonomous and remote piloted threats but use far more cost effective means than expensive missiles and rockets.

“If you look at the news, you can see how various players in different regions are adapting systems and sometimes it’s very simple stuff. They’re buying commercial drones and doing some adaptations,” said Kevin Farmer, Vice President at CACI. “It’s an evolving capability constantly. Being out on the front lines and understanding what is emerging is critical so that we can stay ahead of the threat and keep pace.”
 

Evolving threats and innovation in action

Drones can be used for a variety of means, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) – as well as missions like payload drops and armed attacks that not long ago were the sole domain of crewed systems. While uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) get most of the attention, uncrewed ground and surface vessels are on the rise – and have been used in recent conflicts. Some nations are even testing the integration of AI and facial recognition capabilities into drones, to enable multiple drones to autonomously carry out missions in tandem and even swarm operations.

Such “swarms” are not only more challenging to track and disarm, they’re also costly to defend against: traditional kinetic effects such as missiles cost multiple times more than today’s drones. Meanwhile, non-kinetic responses such as the identification, interception, or jamming of signals present a more effective and economic opportunity.

“Say you have drone swarm but they’re being commanded by an operator. If you can jam the operator, then the swarm doesn’t know what commands to receive and ideally it is mitigated,” said Michael Solberg, Chief Engineer for CACI’s UAS division. “If you instead have to shoot at every single one with something kinetic like a rocket, it is going to be harder. Non-kinetic provides the ability to attack the drone in the RF domain and to break the link between it and what’s controlling it. It’s much cheaper — basically the cost of electrons.”
 

Constructing a layered defense

CACI, a leading producer of counter-uncrewed system (C-UxS) solutions has been developing, investing in, and expanding its adaptable SkyTracker® Technology Suite of capabilities that includes solutions that detect, identify, locate, disrupt, and capture UxS. These include the Backpackable Electronic Attack Module (BEAM™) 3.0, the CORIAN® fixed installation defense system, and the X-MADIS® vehicle-borne mobile system.

These systems are interchangeable and interoperable with existing fixed-site C-UxS systems, capable of creating a layered defense and enabling better real-time decision-making. BEAM, currently the smallest wearable advanced EA system with the longest range available, surveys the environment to enable signal counters. It operates autonomously with other systems, such as CORIAN, which provides infrastructure protection against uncrewed systems by detecting and tracking threats. To better stop the threat, one must also understand the threat. Through its work discovering and defining signals, CACI has also helped create a database of over 800 known threat signals for the Department of Defense that it works to continuously update and enhance.

It’s an understatement to say C-UxS systems are in demand globally. The U.S. Army recently awarded nearly $100M to CACI for production of the company’s backpack electronic warfare technology. And the Canadian Armed Forces selected CACI’s BEAM counter-uncrewed aircraft system technology for its Dismounted Omni-Directional (DODS) Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems program.
 

Better understanding of an evolving threat

Working across all areas of adversary UxS research, support, and operations, CACI’s experts have built up a strong understanding of the threat. For example, the company has built a great deal of experience in reverse engineering downed drones and devices – gaining insights into their components, software, and circuitry, as well as any modifications.

CACI’s mission engineers perform reverse engineering on UxS threats of all kinds — gaining detailed understanding of the systems’ physical design, software, hardware, and other aspects. This delivers great insight into these systems to shape future requirements and inform decision making. How well is a particular drone programmed? What signals does it usually rely on? What other technical specifications distinguish it? “We can dissect and exploit the signal [and] find out how and what is communicating to that respective device,” said one of the company’s UxS engineers.

This information is also used to assemble models and simulations of threat UxS systems. Building these can involve a range of approaches, from 3D printing to full system fabrication with reengineered circuitry and original design flaws. Doing so enables U.S. servicemembers and allies to train and practice against the latest drone advances. CACI personnel also perform supply chain assessments that help government customers determine how to prevent adversaries from obtaining materials they need to manufacture drone devices.

“For two decades, CACI has analyzed uncrewed systems, developed capabilities to detect and defeat them, and deployed more than 400 systems globally to protect our warfighters,” said Erik Grant, Vice President for CACI’s C-UxS Solutions Division.
 

CACI provides real-world operational insights

In addition to teams working in labs to find UxS threat solutions, CACI personnel work and deploy around the world – even in hostile environments – to collect information on these threats as they are encountered in real-world operations. These experts conduct a range of operational and site assessments to locate interference or any gaps in layered defenses. They also constantly evaluate for any needed system improvements, due to factors such as poor location. Data gathered is then delivered back to both troops in the field and to experts in labs to foster a holistic approach to countering the UxS threat.

This talented and diverse workforce, combined with the breadth of CACI’s advanced technology portfolio, means the company is well-positioned to support the evolving counter-drone mission faced by our armed forces and our allies.

“We’re seeing things in the particular platforms or technologies [adversaries] are using, in the concepts of operation, and how they employ them in tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said Farmer. “We’re constantly having to keep up with an evolving domain. By having the folks on the ground, to be out there and see and assess the technologies being used and employed, CACI better understands and can respond to a threat that shows no sign of abating.