Army Throws 100-Drone Swarms and an Autonomous Mothership at Its Own Air Defenses
At Scarlet Dragon 26-3 the XVIII Airborne Corps found no single sensor can stop a 100-drone swarm, while the Pentagon is already ordering attack swarms by the thousand.
At Scarlet Dragon 26-3 the XVIII Airborne Corps found no single sensor can stop a 100-drone swarm, while the Pentagon is already ordering attack swarms by the thousand.
The XVIII Airborne Corps ran swarms of up to 100 drones against its own air defenses during Scarlet Dragon 26-3 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from Sept. 11 to 17, the Army said.
The exercise tested whether sensors, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, autonomous systems and defensive fires could work together against saturation attacks. The corps stacked 50- and 100-drone swarms with other threat profiles to pressure the network across multiple command echelons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scarlet Dragon 26-3?
An XVIII Airborne Corps experimentation exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., held Sept. 11 to 17, 2026, that pairs soldiers with industry to test emerging technology in field conditions, per the Army.
How big were the drone swarms?
Up to 100 drones. The corps stacked 50- and 100-drone swarms with other threat profiles to pressure its network across multiple command echelons, the Army said.
What did the Army learn?
That no single sensor can stop a swarm. Col. Rob Kenny, the corps chief of fires, said it takes an integrated, layered approach of acoustic sensors, radar, electronic warfare, autonomous systems and fires.
What is the Modalic mothership?
An autonomous aircraft that launches smaller drones in flight. Modalic's production version, Chariot, weighs 200 pounds, carries up to 100 pounds and begins flight tests in November, CEO Zack Fishbein told reporters.
Will the Army buy these systems?
The Army has not disclosed whether it will buy the mothership or field any system tested. Testing continues at Scarlet Dragon 27-1 in April 2027.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.