Closing the Defense Gap Against Small Unmanned Arial Systems

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) has exposed significant vulnerabilities within the U.S. Army’s air defense architecture. This thesis examines how the Army can close the counter–small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) capability gap through scalable, cost-effective, and military occupational specialty (MOS)-agnostic solutions. Using the doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTmLPF-P) framework, the study analyzes doctrinal, organizational, and institutional factors influencing the development and employment of C-sUAS capabilities. A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis evaluates four representative systems—Stinger, Coyote, directed energy maneuver–short range air defense (DE M-SHORAD), and DRAKE—across six measures of effectiveness. The results indicate that while kinetic and directed energy systems provide precision and lethality, their high cost and limited scalability constrain force wide employment. The DRAKE electronic warfare system demonstrates the greatest operational flexibility, lowest cost per engagement, and highest potential for broad fielding. The study concludes that integrating non-kinetic systems within a layered defense framework, supported by DOTmLPF-P-driven reforms, offers the most sustainable and adaptable approach to defending against sUAS swarms in future large-scale combat operations.