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TECHNOLOGY Soldier Feedback A 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Soldier experiments with an unmanned aerial system during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to UAS, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. (Photo Credit: Konrad Woo, C5ISR Center) TECHNOLOGY Soldier Feedback A 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Soldier experiments with an unmanned aerial system during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to UAS, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. (Photo Credit: Konrad Woo, C5ISR Center) ❮ ❯ FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug. 11, 2025) — Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to unmanned aerial systems, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. With current systems, Soldiers manually monitor a UAS video feed, searching through large areas of terrain and obstacles for extended periods of time in a quickly moving, dynamic environment. Now, DoD scientists and engineers are integrating autonomy and threat detection to bring new capabilities for small organic Army UAS. The Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have led R&D to bring new technology to Soldiers since 2019 with a specific focus on small UAS. “The primary goal is to provide autonomy at the squad level by using high-level autonomous behaviors like Smart Search, which enables autonomous area searching, target detection, and the ability to track and follow high-priority targets,” said Mathew Wilson, the program’s lead at C5ISR Center. “Soldiers will have greater lethality, survivability and maneuverability.” Placing UAS into the hands of Soldiers for AiTR is breaking ground in DoD research, which previously focused on Army ground platforms, Wilson said. The Army’s goals are to reduce Soldier fatigue, improve situational awareness, and enable faster, more accurate decision-making, Wilson said. “C5ISR Center is expanding on the foundation of our extensive AiTR expertise. UAS have new capabilities as the system processes vast amounts of information for Soldiers into actionable ISR data. Removing the need to manually control UAS while automatically detecting and relaying threat information to the Squad keeps more Soldiers in the fight,” Wilson said. TECHNOLOGY Maximum Force Protection 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division experiments with an unmanned aerial system during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to UAS, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. (Photo Credit: Konrad Woo, C5ISR Center) TECHNOLOGY Persistent Situational Awareness 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division experiments with an unmanned aerial system during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to UAS, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. (Photo Credit: Konrad Woo, C5ISR Center) ❮ ❯ FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug. 11, 2025) — Army researchers are aiming to deliver aided target recognition to unmanned aerial systems, speeding up squad target detection on the battlefield and increasing Soldier lethality. With current systems, Soldiers manually monitor a UAS video feed, searching through large areas of terrain and obstacles for extended periods of time in a quickly moving, dynamic environment. Now, DoD scientists and engineers are integrating autonomy and threat detection to bring new capabilities for small organic Army UAS. The Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency have led R&D to bring new technology to Soldiers since 2019 with a specific focus on small UAS. “The primary goal is to provide autonomy at the squad level by using high-level autonomous behaviors like Smart Search, which enables autonomous area searching, target detection, and the ability to track and follow high-priority targets,” said Mathew Wilson, the program’s lead at C5ISR Center. “Soldiers will have greater lethality, survivability and maneuverability.” Placing UAS into the hands of Soldiers for AiTR is breaking ground in DoD research, which previously focused on Army ground platforms, Wilson said. The Army’s goals are to reduce Soldier fatigue, improve situational awareness, and enable faster, more accurate decision-making, Wilson said. “C5ISR Center is expanding on the foundation of our extensive AiTR expertise. UAS have new capabilities as the system processes vast amounts of information for Soldiers into actionable ISR data. Removing the need to manually control UAS while automatically detecting and relaying threat information to the Squad keeps more Soldiers in the fight,” Wilson said. In-house DoD R&D brings subject-matter experts and Soldiers together during experimentation events for direct feedback, leading to continued improvements. During Project Convergence Capstone 5, the system allowed forward observers to autonomously search beyond line-of-sight for potential threats. Squad leader Sgt. Brian Ward, of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, gave positive feedback on AiTR testing during PC C5. “If someone has issues trying to find targets or personnel, it’s circling and tracking as they move,” Ward said. “It’s a game changer. If it can detect more targets, the better, especially if you can choose which one to nominate and call for engagement.” The system populates the data on a common operating picture using existing Army infrastructure — Android Tactical Assault Kit and Nett Warrior device — to avoid the need to field additional software and hardware. The ATAK interface allows command and control of the UAS’ autonomous behaviors. “The UAS automatically launched, traversed to the area of interest, autonomously searched and passed back detected targets without any further human interaction. Since AiTR has not yet been fielded, automatically detecting potential threats was a huge hit,” Wilson said. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center is the Army’s applied research and advanced technology development center for C5ISR capabilities. As the Army’s primary integrator of C5ISR technologies and systems, DEVCOM C5ISR Center supports our networked Warfighters by identifying, developing, maturing, and rapidly integrating innovative technologies to drive continuous

TECHNOLOGY A U.S. Army Soldier receives instructions from a British Army Soldier on a Night Fighter portable electronic jamming device during a series of counter-UAS training events. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Laux, assigned to 3rd Platoon, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, receives instruction on operating a Night Fighter portable electronic jamming device from a British soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, Royal Yorkshire Regiment. Project Flytrap is part of a series of counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) training events conducted by soldiers from the U.S. and U.K. to test new technologies and tactics. Results from Project Flytrap will inform the way the U.S., allies, and partners fight on the modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sauders/Released) (Staff Sgt. Christopher Saunders) ❮ ❯ FORT BELVOIR, Va. (August 2025)— Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), also commonly known as drones, have significantly evolved over the last decade of large-scale combat operations—transitioning from simple reconnaissance tools to complex weapon systems. Today’s soldiers are seeing how UAS play an increasingly pivotal and multifaceted role in contemporary conflicts and how they will serve as critical enablers to the future warfare. With UAS applications spanning precision strike capabilities, electronic warfare, and swarm tactics, their implementation can influence military operations; significantly shaping both strategic decision-making and the broader trajectory of military engagements. This makes it more imperative for Army science and technology to narrow in on this rapidly changing threat. “The C5ISR [U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance] Center is directly providing rapid response counter-UAS solutions to soldiers at the border, deployed worldwide, and working with different industry-provided capabilities to ensure everything is properly integrated into a common command and control (C2) architecture, which is crucial against this threat,” said Kevin White, a C5ISR Center branch chief. The C5ISR Center possesses deep expertise in the development of compact, cost-effective, and high-performance laser protection solutions. The team has successfully transitioned numerous protection technologies to Army programs—capabilities that remain largely within the scope of government-exclusive research and development due to the absence of a commercial market. TECHNOLOGY Two U.S. Army Soldiers establish radio communication during a series of counter-UAS training events. U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, establish radio communications during Project Flytrap. Project Flytrap is part of a series of counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) training events conducted by soldiers from the U.S. and U.K. to test new technologies and tactics. Results from Project Flytrap will inform the way the U.S., allies, and partners fight on the modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sauders/Released) (Staff Sgt. Christopher Saunders) ❮ ❯ The Center has made substantial investments in sensor protection technologies to ensure that sensors deployed on Army platforms can operate effectively in all environments. These efforts are driven by the growing global proliferation and sophistication of counter weapons systems. A growing number of countries are actively developing C-UAS capabilities, with leading efforts underway in the United States, China, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia. These advancements carry significant strategic implications for a much broader global security landscape. “Our foremost objective is to develop and deliver innovative protection technologies that significantly enhance the survivability and lethality of our UAS,” said Jason Bias, a C5ISR Center branch chief. “By equipping them with advanced, reliable, and mission-focused solutions, we aim to provide a decisive advantage on the battlefield—ensuring they are better protected, more effective, and prepared to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare.” How will this potentially impact the C5ISR Center’s UAS programs? One critical area will be in GPS denied arenas, where reliance on visual cues, sensors, and sophisticated sensor fusion algorithms. If the sensors are rendered inoperable (Hard-Kill), or jammed (temporary sensor disruption), the UAS will no longer be operable. A second major area will be when Aided Target Detection and Recognition (AiTR) algorithms are utilized in UAS to enhance situational awareness, improving decision-making, and automating tasks that would otherwise require significant human effort. If they were not trained in data that is relevant to all aspects to the warfighters’ area of operations, this may significantly change the efficiency of the algorithms. As C-UAS technologies continue to evolve and reliance on sensor-driven capabilities in UAS, intensifies, ensuring sensor survivability is critical to mission success. Continued investment in sensor protection must remain synchronized with advancements in C-UAS weapon systems; any technological gap in this area could take years to close and pose significant operational risk. “To maintain operational superiority, we must proactively invest in technologies that protect our most critical assets,” said Bias. “Bridging the gap between evolving threats and defensive capabilities is not just strategic—it’s essential. Any delay in closing these gaps could cost us years in readiness and expose our forces to unacceptable risks.” The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center is the Army’s applied research and advanced technology development center for C5ISR capabilities. As the Army’s primary integrator of C5ISR technologies and systems, DEVCOM C5ISR Center supports our networked Warfighters by identifying, developing, maturing, and rapidly integrating innovative technologies to drive continuous transformation. DEVCOM C5ISR Center is an asset of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. DEVCOM is Army Futures Command’s leader and integrator within a global ecosystem of scientific exploration and technological innovation. DEVCOM expertise spans eight major competency areas to provide integrated research, development, analysis and engineering support to the Army and DOD. From rockets to robots, drones to dozers, and aviation to artillery – DEVCOM innovation is at the core of the combat capabilities American Warfighters need to win on the battlefield of the future. For more information, visit c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil/.

TECHNOLOGY Non-commissioned officers assigned to the C5ISR Center test threat detection technologies while performing a thorough scan of an area. The tested a quadruped robot, a handheld mine detector, and UAS. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, test threat detection technologies while performing a thorough scan of an area. The soldiers tested a quadruped robot, a handheld mine detector, and a small Unmanned Aircraft System, which are used with the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) and the Integrated Visual Augmentation System to thoroughly scan an area for threats, and display relevant detections during an exercise in Fort Belvoir, VA. Such events enable NCOs and engineers to test equipment in a near-real-world environment, gathering essential data on emerging technologies that will benefit current and future Warfighters. These efforts directly contribute to increasing Soldier safety and accelerating the Army’s modernization priorities. Through innovative multi-domain technology integration, the Countermine Division is strengthening the Army’s ability to detect and neutralize threats more effectively, ensuring Soldiers can operate safely across any battlespace. (U.S. Army photo by John ❮ ❯ FORT BELVOIR, Va. — For nearly two centuries, explosive hazards, EH, have plagued the battlespace and posed a significant threat to our warfighters. During Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, EH were a primary threat to vehicles and a chief source of Warfighter casualties. Today, that threat has evolved and includes notably more complex and lethal systems, such as sophisticated new top-attack EH. Such threats demand a modern response and solution. By integrating advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning the U.S. Army’s countermine mission has entered a new era — an era defined by greater survivability, situational awareness, enhanced operational speed, accuracy, and safety. TECHNOLOGY The C5ISR Center tested threat detection technologies like the quadruped robot dog shown. The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, continues advancing threat detection technologies by integrating drones, robotic quadrupeds, and modern mine detection systems. During recent field operations at Fort Belvoir, VA, the team demonstrated multiple platforms working together to identify and mitigate ground-based threats in complex environments. These efforts directly contribute to increasing Soldier safety and accelerating the Army’s modernization priorities. Through innovative multi-domain technology integration, the Countermine Division is strengthening the Army’s ability to detect and neutralize threats more effectively, ensuring Soldiers can operate safely across any battlespace. (U.S. Army photo by Sam Brooks/Released) (Sam Brooks) ❮ ❯ The U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center is at the forefront of change where mine-detection innovation meets the battlefield. The collaboration between scientists, engineers, technical experts and Soldiers creates a unique opportunity for hands-on technology development and direct Soldier feedback. Across the Army, traditional mine detection is often manual and can put Soldiers very close to harm’s way. However, with the implementation of advanced sensor technology, robotic platforms, and AI-powered systems operated at a distance, warfighters can autonomously detect mines and other threats while maintaining safe standoff distances from the explosives. “If you’re looking at what C5ISR Center is doing with Strykers, we’re taking a system that has great armor, but limited visibility, limited situational awareness, and we’re integrating new sensors across it so that Soldiers can see threats 360 degrees around the vehicle, in the daytime or at night,” said Collin Bright, a research engineer with C5ISR Center. TECHNOLOGY A soldier assigned to the C5ISR Center controls a quadruped robot dog with a handheld unit. The soldier walks the dog out the back of a Stryker. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, test threat detection technologies while performing a thorough scan of an area during an exercise at Fort Belvoir, VA. The soldiers practiced using a quadruped robot, a handheld mine detector, and a small Unmanned Aircraft System , which are used with the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) and the Integrated Visual Augmentation System to thoroughly scan an area for threats. These efforts directly contribute to increasing Soldier safety and accelerating the Army’s modernization priorities. (U.S. Army photo by John G. Martinez/Released) (John G. Martinez) ❮ ❯ The C5ISR Center’s Countermine team incorporated advanced detection capabilities into thermal sensors that C5ISR integrated into a Stryker, giving Soldiers increased visibility into hidden dangers. By leveraging AI and ML software and technology, these integrations will significantly increase Soldiers’ reaction time and ultimately increase their survivability. “The C5ISR Center has integrated a Stryker with thermal capabilities,” said Sierra Pangilinan, a computer scientist with C5ISR Center. “By integrating the Stryker with this technology, it’s like giving Soldiers an extra set of eyes. Especially when they’re tired. Soldiers can work a 24-or-48-hour or more mission. These tools ensure they’re still protected and aware.” As the complexities of battle continue to grow across even more unpredictable terrains, the need for flexible and adaptable, soldier-centric technology becomes imperative. The C5ISR Center represents Army innovation and a peek at the future with — software and sensors that adapt to any platform, algorithms that improve with every mission, and most importantly, a system that puts soldier survivability at the center of every design. “The goal is to move away from World War II-era methods,” said Pangilinan. “Now, we’re applying agile development, scalable platforms, and machine learning to build tools that not only win wars — but save lives.” TECHNOLOGY Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to the C5ISR Center, test threat detection technology like the quadruped robot, while performing a thorough scan of an area. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to the U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, test threat detection technologies while performing a thorough scan of an area. A quadruped robot, a handheld mine detector, and a small Unmanned Aircraft System are used with the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) and the Integrated Visual Augmentation System to thoroughly scan an area for threats, and display relevant detections during an exercise at Fort Belvoir,