Washington Guard Receives AI-Driven System to Differentiate Drones from Birds

Washington National Guard units have begun using an Anduril-built counter-drone suite that can tell unmanned aircraft apart from birds at long range.

Troops of the Washington National Guard have been equipped with an advanced counter-drone technology suite developed by Anduril, designed to discriminate unmanned aircraft from birds over extended distances. Soldiers from the Guard’s Counterdrug Program and the 10th Civil Support Team underwent an intensive two-week training period to operate the system, which integrates the WISP camera tower, Pulsar frequency sensor, and Lattice AI software into a single data stream for operators.

In addition to distinguishing drones from wildlife, the platform can pinpoint the likely locations of hostile drone pilots. Lt. Col. Wes Watson warned that the technology is vital for countering drones that might drop hazardous substances, including potential weapons of mass destruction. Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh noted that the acquisition, partly a byproduct of preparations for the FIFA event, will enhance the Guard’s ability to secure major public gatherings. Ongoing collaboration with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security is planned to refine the system’s use against domestic drone threats.