According to multiple sources, including Action News Jax, WFTV and Fox News, Florida officials have decided to turn over 500 Chinese-made drones that were recently confiscated into military training tools.
These drones, which were banned due to safety concerns, will be used by U.S. Special Operations Command for target practice at Camp Blanding from Dec. 4-6. This event is expected to be the largest counter-drone training exercise in the United States.
The training, called the “Military Drone Crucible,” will include Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Marines. They will practice defending against enemy drones using various methods, including shooting down the confiscated drones with shotguns. This exercise aims to prepare troops for real-life situations where they might face enemy drones during missions.
Florida had previously banned these drones over fears that the technology could send sensitive data back to China. Instead of destroying the drones, the military thought it would be better to use them to train its forces. This decision highlights the importance of being ready to counter drone threats, which are becoming more common in modern warfare.
The Military Drone Crucible aims to help troops learn how to use different strategies for drone defense, such as using jamming devices and kinetic options like shotguns. Another training event earlier this year saw military forces successfully down 49 drones using advanced technology.
