How The U.S. Army And NATO Are Sharing Drone Tactics For Mobile Combat

BusinessAerospace & DefenseHow The U.S. Army And NATO Are Sharing Drone Tactics For Mobile CombatByZita Ballinger Fletcher,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Zita Ballinger Fletcher is a defense technology reporterFollow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 11:24pm EDTMay 31, 2026, 11:24pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.A participant uses a drone defense rifle during Project Flytrap 4.5 in November 2025 in Putlos, Germany. The Flytrap exercises are expanding into larger efforts that increase unity and tactical cohesion among allied forces. (Photo by Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe U.S. Army conducted an exercise this month alongside troops from the United Kingdom to combine drone warfare tactics in an ongoing effort to increase effective anti-drone tactics across allied nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The joint exercise called Project Flytrap 5.0 was held in Lithuania about 30 kilometers from the border with Belarus, and marked a significant expansion of the abilities of NATO troops fighting side by side to successfully defeat unmanned aircraft systems in mobile combat. The Flytrap exercise series, which began last year, is part of NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative to protect its eastern borders. It has been held in Germany and Poland and is getting progressively larger and more comprehensive to meet the expanding dimensions of drone warfare. Led by the U.S. Army’s V Corps and U.S. Army Europe and Africa, this latest version of the exercise saw American units face off against British paratroopers to repel drone attacks at the squadron level. Participants tested over 50 innovations including counter-drone interceptors, sensors and unmanned ground vehicles and provided instant feedback to manufacturers represented. The next iteration of the exercise will increase troop strength to brigade level. The Need...