US Army Tests AI-Powered Bumblebee V2 Counter-Drone System at Fort Bragg

The U.S. Army’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) conducted the first operational training event for the Bumblebee V2 counter-drone system with paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April 22. The exercise marked the first field test of the prototypes acquired earlier this year under a $5.2 million investment.

The Bumblebee V2 is a first-person-view multirotor interceptor drone designed to autonomously detect, track, and collide with hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Army officials said the system was adapted from battlefield lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine and broader European counter-drone operations.

The Army said 20 paratroopers participated in the inaugural exercise at the Salerno drop zone, where soldiers trained on interpreting radar feeds, camera data, and sensor inputs before launching interceptors against simulated aerial threats.

Army Sgt. Maj. Kellen Rowley, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Director of JIATF-401, said the platform reduces reliance on manual piloting.

“Its automated target recognition allows the drone to lock on and engage an adversary drone autonomously, letting soldiers focus on situational awareness and tactics,” Rowley said.

The deployment comes as the Army expands its investment in autonomous counter-UAS capabilities and layered drone defense systems. AI-enabled battlefield infrastructure is also becoming a larger focus across the defense sector, including distributed sensor and radio-based detection systems.

Rapid Battlefield Deployment

JIATF-401 first announced the acquisition of the Bumblebee V2 system in February after awarding the contract on Jan. 30. Army officials said the drones were delivered by March as part of a rapid deployment initiative intended to shorten procurement timelines for battlefield technologies.

According to the Army, the Bumblebee V2 can remain airborne for up to one hour on a single battery and includes wide-angle and narrow-angle camera systems designed for autonomous target tracking.

Army Lt. Col. Alex Morse, Acquisition Lead for JIATF-401, said the Army is currently evaluating updated software, sensors, and automated targeting features integrated into prototype systems.

“Its ability to operate all the system's components simultaneously gives us the tools to develop tactics, techniques and procedures in real time,” Morse said.

The Army described the interceptor as part of a “layered counter-UAS defense,” reflecting a broader shift toward low-cost kinetic interception systems rather than relying exclusively on expensive missile-based air defense platforms.

The growing use of inexpensive drones in Ukraine and the Middle East has accelerated military demand for autonomous interception systems capable of neutralizing small aerial threats without damaging nearby infrastructure.

Autonomous Defense Systems Expand Across the Military

The Army said counter-drone systems are expected to become standard battlefield equipment for soldiers with limited drone experience.

Rowley compared the Army’s counter-UAS training approach to rifle qualification, saying soldiers must first understand the fundamentals of drone operation and passive countermeasures before deploying aerial interceptors operationally.

Military procurement around autonomous systems has accelerated over the past year as defense contractors and startups expand AI-powered platforms for contested environments. Companies across the sector are developing autonomous reconnaissance, drone interception, and electronic warfare systems for both U.S. and allied forces.

Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Director of JIATF-401, said the Army’s focus is on rapidly fielding operational counter-drone systems for deployed forces.

“The Bumblebee V2 provides a cost-effective, reliable interceptor that can neutralize threats without endangering our own forces or surrounding infrastructure,” Ross said. “On the modern battlefield, where drones are a constant threat, having a low-collateral kinetic option is not just an advantage, it is increasingly becoming essential for protecting our forces.”