Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) recently evaluated the SkyValor counter-unmanned aerial system platform during a demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in coordination with Joint Task Force-Southern Border and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.The long-range counter-drone system, designed for continuous automated sensing operations, completed a series of operational tests against multiple small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) flight profiles over a two-day period.According to JIATF-401, the system demonstrated its ability to detect, track, identify and defeat drone threats at extended ranges. The demonstration highlighted technologies intended to identify and counter unmanned aircraft threats near the southern border.“During our visit to Yuma, we evaluated the SkyValor system against rigorous threat scenarios based on feedback from warfighters and border agents at the southern border,” said Jose Gonzalez, a Customs and Border Protection liaison officer embedded with JIATF-401. “Having an effective non-kinetic defeat option is a crucial component of strong, layered, counter-drone capabilities at the southern border.”Operators tested the SkyValor system’s integrated suite of capabilities, including advanced non-kinetic defeat tools and electronic warfare mitigation techniques designed to neutralize small unmanned aerial system threats while minimizing collateral effects.Officials said the system provides an additional layer of defense against drone threats within the United States.“It was a team effort to get the SkyValor system to Yuma and validate it for operational use,” said Lt. Col. Alejandro Elizalde, southern border team lead for the JIATF-401 response division. “A whole-of-government approach is crucial to maintain a strong counter-drone defense across all 1,954 miles of the southern border.”The successful demonstration represents a milestone in the evaluation of next-generation counter-UAS technologies. JIATF-401 said it will continue working to field counter-drone capabilities while incorporating operational feedback into future technology development efforts.

2026-06-10 - JIATF-401 validates next-generation counter-drone technology at Yuma (UAS Magazine)

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Joint Interagency Task Force 401 evaluated the SkyValor counter-drone system during operational testing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. The system demonstrated the ability to detect, track, identify and defeat small unmanned aerial systems while supporting layered border security operations.

JIATF-401 validates next-generation counter-drone technology at Yuma

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