Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has marked six months since its establishment, highlighting accelerated delivery of counter-UAS capabilities to U.S. forces at home and abroad.
Created to integrate counter-drone efforts across the Defense Department and move more quickly from concept to fielded capability, the task force said it has executed more than $30 million in rapid procurement actions during its first half-year of operations. JIATF 401 is leading implementation of the department’s Domestic Shield initiative, formerly known as Replicator 2, aimed at delivering scalable counter-UAS capabilities to protect sensitive sites.
According to the task force, early efforts focused not only on acquiring systems but also on addressing policy and coordination gaps. In partnership with the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, JIATF-401 clarified guidance to give installation commanders greater authority to protect personnel and assets from drone threats. These actions followed findings from a Department of Defense inspector general report that cited “unclear and inconsistent policies” that left certain installations vulnerable.
On Feb. 24, the task force was notified that Recommendation One from DODIG-2026-045, a management advisory calling for immediate action to protect covered assets against unmanned aircraft systems, had been closed.
“From day one, our task was to close real gaps as quickly as we could,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401. He said the focus has been on fielding usable capabilities while also clarifying authorities and establishing common standards.
Procurement, policy and integration efforts
Beyond procurement, the task force established a centralized counter-UAS marketplace to help service branches and interagency partners identify and acquire validated solutions. It also executed an enterprise-wide licensing agreement with industry partners for a common counter-UAS mission command system, intended to improve shared situational awareness and coordinated operations.
In support of homeland defense, JIATF-401 said it has enhanced air domain awareness around defense installations, the southern border and the National Capital Region. It also published a Guide for Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure to assist installation commanders and local law enforcement in implementing passive protective measures against drone threats.
The task force has supported state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement in accessing $250 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funding designated for counter-UAS capabilities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the operational side, JIATF-401 reported procuring low-collateral defeat systems and conducting assessments with the Army’s Global Response Force to evaluate their use in expeditionary and high-readiness formations. It also leveraged the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost to gather operator feedback and refine counter-UAS concepts of employment. Efforts to standardize data and improve interoperability across systems and organizations are ongoing.
Training and next steps
Training has been another focus area. The task force said it has integrated counter-UAS capabilities into joint and service training environments and formalized partnerships with interagency training facilities to synchronize instruction and share best practices.
“Counter-UAS does not start or stop at the fence line, and it is not as simple as procuring a single piece of hardware,” Ross said, emphasizing the need for layered defenses, informed operators and clear policies.
Looking ahead, JIATF-401 plans to continue supporting interagency and joint efforts tied to high-profile events, including the 2026 World Cup and activities related to the United States’ 250th anniversary. The task force is also scheduled to host its first industry day on March 5 in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of its ongoing engagement with defense and technology partners.
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Post Image Credit: U.S. Department of War
