Pennsylvania National Guard Designated as Center for Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Initiative
Fort Indiantown Gap Trains Soldiers on New Military Drones
Development of Counter-UAS Tactics
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Fort Indiantown Gap, the home base of the Pennsylvania National Guard, has emerged as a significant center for military drone training and development. The facility is involved in both low-tech counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) tactics and the testing of advanced one-way attack drones as part of the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance initiative.
UAS Training and Innovation Facility
The UAS Training and Innovation Facility (TIF) at Fort Indiantown Gap has been designated as the primary training site for new drone equipment selected during the U.S. Department of War‘s inaugural Drone Gauntlet competition. Following the completion of the Gauntlet 1 competition in June, the program identified the top 11 performers, which will now supply their drone systems to the military.
An eight-member team from TIF is responsible for acquiring and testing these UAV systems. Team members receive training from the manufacturers of the drones and subsequently adapt the training protocols to meet military needs, instructing soldiers from both active-duty and reserve units.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, the officer-in-charge of TIF, emphasized the significance of Fort Indiantown Gap’s selection as a testing site, highlighting Pennsylvania’s extensive experience in military drone operations.
Recent Achievements
In February, the Pennsylvania Guard’s drone capabilities were showcased when they won the Best Innovation category at the Army’s Best Drone Warfighter Competition. The team developed a claw-equipped drone designed to retrieve downed quadcopters from the battlefield, drawing national attention to their innovative work.
Shea noted that the TIF team is currently testing several qualified UAS systems, including the Neuros Archer, HALO Perses, and Auterion SLM-10. While specific capabilities of these drones cannot be disclosed, most are categorized as first-person-view (FPV) quadcopters, designed for single-use missions.
Counter-Drone Training Initiatives
Low-Tech C-UAS Tactics
In addition to advanced drone development, Fort Indiantown Gap is also focused on training soldiers in basic counter-drone tactics. The facility has transformed a range to conduct low-tech C-UAS training, utilizing shotguns and other weapons to engage drones.
The Guard has constructed a mock village using repurposed shipping containers to simulate urban environments for counter-UAS operations. The target drones used in training are primarily 3D-printed fixed-wing flyers, which are cost-effective and easy to replace.
Logistics and Training Environment
Fort Indiantown Gap’s strategic location enhances its role as a hub for military drone research and development. Situated approximately 100 miles from the Tobyhanna Army Depot, the facility is well-positioned to support the logistics of new drone systems. It is also within two hours of major military research facilities, including Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
Shea noted that the facility’s expansive training area and restricted airspace, which extends up to 26,000 feet, provide the necessary environment for comprehensive drone testing and training.