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Subcommittee hears that last week's long-range drone raid signals evolving warfare; DOD looks to counter and adapt
Summary
Committee members and Defense leaders discussed implications of a cross-border long-range drone raid in Ukraine, with DOD officials calling it a "daring and very effective operation" and saying the department is accelerating counter-UAS and intelligence efforts and learning to field cheaper, attritable systems.
Members told DOD leaders on June 10 that last week's long-range drone raid in the Russia-Ukraine conflict may represent a new era of warfare and pressed the department on defensive and offensive readiness.
House Dean and senior member Mike Rogers described the Ukrainian operation as "daring and very effective" and asked whether the U.S. is prepared to defend against or mount similar operations. Secretary Hegseth said the department was not aware of the attack in advance, called it "daring and very effective," and said DOD is tracking advancements in drone warfare "in real time" to improve counter-UAS capabilities.
General Dan Kane told members the department must consider rapid, massed precision fires, autonomy and attritable systems as central elements of future conflict. He recommended buying "capabilities along the technology curve" and accelerating fielding of commercially available or other defensive systems, including electronic warfare, microwave and kinetic options to defeat drones singly and in swarms.
Members asked how to harden bases and installations and reduce reliance on foreign-produced components, especially given high global production share for many small unmanned systems. The department said it is working to diversify suppliers and accelerate domestic production for attritable and rapidly fielded capabilities and is integrating lessons from Ukraine into procurement and training.
