Unmanned Systems the New Weapon for Terrorists

Fairfax, VA, July 13, 2017 --

Long a tool of allies trying to foil improvised explosive devices, unmanned systems now may be entering the fray against friendly forces. Lt. Gen. Michael H. Shields, USA, director, Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO), says his organization anticipated this threat and has been organized in a way to both understand, react and respond to it.

Gen. Shields spoke with SIGNAL Magazine Editor-in-Chief Robert K. Ackerman for an article in the July issue. “Our adversaries are innovating,” the general states. “They are focusing on research and development. We continue to focus on the IED threat—the different methods of delivering those IEDs—and we are as busy as ever.”

Among the many tools JIDO is counting on to combat the UAV-IED threat is advanced information system technology. Better sensors for detection and tracking, coupled with new ways of data processing, could be key to defeating growing and emerging dangers in the battlespace.

The U.S. Defense Department and political leadership continue to fund JIDO with sufficient dollars to move rapidly as a quick reaction capability within the department, Gen. Shields says. The organization also has modified its contract framework to provide greater flexibility and agility, along with cost savings, which the general describes as huge for JIDO.

Although budget support for JIDO is solid, if the organization received more funding, the general would invest it in capabilities to battle burgeoning threats, including unmanned aerial systems. Wish list aside, JIDO is focused on delivering capabilities to the warfighter within two years, he adds. 

Computer and advanced analytics also are high on the general’s list, as are deep machine learning, artificial intelligence and natural language processing, all targets of opportunity for industry and academia, the article goes on to say. JIDO already is heavily engaged in reaching out to the business sector to tap technologies that support its mission.

Read the full article online.

SIGNAL Magazine’s July issue also includes a look at “The Rise of the Robot Force” and, as part of The Cyber Edge, “How the Hashtag Is Changing Warfare.”

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Maryann Lawlor
AFCEA International
(703) 631-6179
[email protected]