The US Army plans to evaluate as many as 15 counter-unmanned aerial systems in Morocco during 2027 as part of an accelerated initiative intended to deliver proven counter-drone capabilities to soldiers within 180 days. The effort will involve the Army’s Southern European Task Force–Africa and Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate, bringing together operational personnel and acquisition specialists to address urgent protection requirements. The initiative focuses on improving the defence of forward command posts and military operating locations against unmanned aerial threats. Soldier-led demonstrations are scheduled to take place in February and March 2027 at Tan-Tan in southwestern Morocco. These demonstrations will be followed by operational assessments in April and May during African Lion 2027. The planned evaluation will provide an opportunity to examine candidate counter-drone technologies under military operating conditions and assess their suitability for urgent deployment. By involving soldiers in the demonstrations and subsequent assessments, the Army aims to identify systems that can address operational requirements without relying solely on conventional, lengthy acquisition processes. The initiative reflects an accelerated approach to evaluating available counter-unmanned aircraft technologies and addressing vulnerabilities at forward military locations.
