US Army earmarks $1 billion for counter-drone: a “system of systems” across eight lines

The US Army has requested roughly $994 million in its FY27 budget to defeat small drones — nearly double last year’s enacted figure. The money is spread across eight categories, from sensors and electronic warfare to lasers and missiles, in a “system of systems” approach.

The US Army is building a layered counter-drone architecture against small UAS threats.

At a Glance

What: US Army FY27 small counter-drone (C-UAS) budget request
Amount: ~$994 million (nearly double FY26)
Largest line: $414M operational systems
Fixed-site defense: $165M
Effectors: $132M — 800 kinetic, 29 non-kinetic, 24 Next-Gen C-UAS Missile (NGCM)
Approach: a “system of systems” fusing sensors + EW + lasers + missiles

The Ukraine lesson: counter-drone is the new priority

The devastation wrought by small UAS in Ukraine and the Middle East has pushed the US Army to rapidly scale its counter-drone investment. Its FY27 budget request sets aside $994 million — all discretionary funding — for small C-UAS, nearly double the enacted FY26 amount.

Rather than piecemeal fixes, the service is pursuing a “system of systems” architecture that fuses sensors, electronic warfare, launchers, mobile platforms and both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors into a single integrated defense network.

Integrated anti-drone systems like İHTAR combine sensors and effectors in one architecture.

Where the money goes

The largest slice — $414 million — funds “operational” small C-UAS capabilities, while $165 million goes to “fixed” systems for homeland and fixed-site defense. A $132 million “effectors” line covers 800 kinetic and 29 non-kinetic capabilities plus 24 Next-Generation C-UAS Missiles (NGCM). Squad- and soldier-level handhelds get $108 million, and brigade-and-below elements $80 million.

Item	Amount
Total request	~$994 million (FY27)
Operational systems	$414M
Fixed-site defense	$165M
Effectors	$132M (800 kinetic + 29 non-kinetic + 24 NGCM)
Squad/soldier level	$108M
Brigade and below	$80M

Systems such as ASELSAN's KORKUT counter low-altitude drone threats with gun and missile layers. — Systems such as ASELSAN’s KORKUT counter low-altitude drone threats with gun and missile layers.

Counter-drone is no longer solved by a single weapon but by a layered architecture that meets a cheap threat with a cheap answer. Turkey has already fielded the same “system of systems” logic with its ÇELİK KUBBE integrated concept and the ASELSAN KORKUT/GÖKBERK and İHTAR anti-drone systems.