US Army Captain outlines Digital Shield lessons for countering Shaheds

U.S. and Estonian forces launched Exercise Digital Shield on March 5, bringing together troops and emerging technologies to test new approaches to countering drone threats on NATO’s eastern flank.

The exercise focuses on integrating experimental counter-UAS capabilities into operational networks while improving coordination between allied forces operating in contested environments.

Led in part by the U.S. Army’s 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the drills simulate real-world conditions, including cyber disruptions and high operational pressure, to evaluate how systems and personnel perform under stress.

Focus on speed and integration

“The objectives for Digital Shield are ensuring that we’re integrating experimental counter-UAS effectors and sensors into a scalable commercial cloud architecture,” said Capt. Micah Maule, Plans Officer for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Participants are testing how different systems work together, including detection sensors, interceptor drones and command-and-control networks, with a focus on responding to large-scale drone threats.

Maule told C-UAS Hub how the exercise has evolved across iterations and how these lessons will aid the U.S. in countering Shahed-style threats:

“Digital Shield continues to build on the successes and lessons learned of each iteration using the move fast, fail fast, fix fast approach. During 1.0 we only focused on sensor integration into the commercial cloud. 2.0 introduced integrating interceptor drones to address the Shahed-style threat. Each of the interceptor drones is cheaper or at cost parity of a Shahed 136 allowing us to beat the cost curve of intercepting them. Integrating them into the commercial cloud and C2 systems, allows us to remotely engage UAS threats in mass which reduces manpower requirements and risk to soldiers.”

Real-world scenarios and allied cooperation

The exercise involves multiple units working together to establish communications networks, identify threats and coordinate responses. Drone teams simulate hostile activity, while air defense units test countermeasures against those systems.

Many of the technologies being evaluated are commercially available systems adapted for military use, reflecting a broader shift toward cost-effective solutions in response to the widespread availability of low-cost drones.

Digital Shield builds on more than a decade of cooperation between U.S. and Estonian forces under Operation Atlantic Resolve, which has focused on strengthening interoperability and regional security.

Officials say the technologies and concepts tested during the exercise are intended for broader use beyond Europe, including potential applications for homeland defense through organizations such as Joint Interagency Task Force South.

“The Estonians have been absolutely world-class partners,” Maule said. “We’ve done everything in conjunction with them… we’re very proud to do this with the Estonian Defense Forces.”