DoW Accelerates Counter-UAS Deployment

CounterUASWorld Summary

The Department of War (DoW) has launched a new initiative to speed the deployment of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) across military forces, installations, and critical assets, aiming to strengthen protection of U.S. airspace sovereignty. Under the new memorandum, approval authorities must treat delays as an operational risk and use existing test results, prior approvals, and risk mitigation measures to accelerate decisions. Interim or conditional approvals may be granted when risks are assessed as low or manageable. The policy also introduces stricter accountability measures. Denials must be documented and submitted to Joint Interagency Task Force-401 (JIATF-401), while every approval barrier must have an owner, timeline, and escalation path. Key reforms target four areas that have slowed C-UAS fielding: operational approvals, spectrum management, weapons safety reviews, and legal assessments.