Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office

Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Name	Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Formed	2019
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Defense
Headquarters	The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Chief1 position	Director
Parent agency	Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office. The Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO) is the United States Department of Defense's central entity for synchronizing and integrating all counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) activities across the United States Armed Forces. Established to address the rapidly proliferating threat from adversary and rogue unmanned aerial vehicles, it serves as the single focal point for developing joint strategy, policy, and capability solutions. The office works to accelerate the delivery of effective technologies to the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Space Force.

Mission and responsibilities

The primary mission of the JCO is to lead, synchronize, and direct the Department of Defense's holistic approach to countering unmanned aircraft threats. Its core responsibilities include developing the overarching Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Strategy and the annual C-UAS Strategic Plan. The office validates joint capability requirements and oversees the testing and evaluation of systems through events like the Black Dart demonstration. It is also tasked with establishing common standards and protocols to ensure interoperability between services and with key allies such as the United Kingdom and NATO. Furthermore, the JCO coordinates with other U.S. government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration on domestic airspace security issues.

History and establishment

The office was formally established in late 2019 by direction of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, following years of escalating threats from small drones observed in conflicts like the War in Afghanistan and the Syrian Civil War. A pivotal catalyst was the 2019 attack on Abqaiq–Khurais oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, which demonstrated the potent threat posed by unmanned systems. This action followed critical assessments from the Government Accountability Office and the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighting fragmented efforts across the military. The JCO’s creation was a key recommendation implemented from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which mandated a more unified approach. Initial leadership was drawn from experienced personnel within the United States Army Futures Command and the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization.

Organizational structure

The JCO is organizationally situated under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, reporting to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Emerging Capability and Prototyping. The office is led by a director, typically a senior officer from one of the military services, supported by a deputy and a cadre of action officers representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Its structure includes divisions focused on requirements, capabilities, and integration, with close liaison officers from the United States Special Operations Command and United States Northern Command. The JCO also maintains a direct operational support cell to assist combatant commands like United States Central Command and United States European Command with urgent C-UAS needs.

Key programs and technologies

The office manages and directs several high-priority initiatives to field layered defense systems. A flagship effort is the development and rapid deployment of fixed-site and mobile C-UAS systems such as the Leonidas directed-energy weapon and the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System. It oversees the integration of advanced sensors including AN/TPQ-53 radar and Silent Archer systems. The JCO champions the use of non-kinetic effects like electronic warfare, supporting programs like the Modular Radio Frequency Counter-Unmanned Aerial System and working with agencies like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on next-generation solutions. It also evaluates commercial technologies through other transaction authority agreements with industry partners.

Interagency and international cooperation

The JCO operates as a critical nexus for collaboration beyond the traditional military sphere. Domestically, it coordinates closely with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Secret Service for national special security events. It supports the Department of Energy in protecting critical infrastructure like the Pantex Plant. Internationally, the JCO leads U.S. participation in multinational C-UAS working groups within NATO and the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. It conducts joint exercises and technology demonstrations with partners including the Israeli Defense Forces and the French Armed Forces, and shares tactical lessons learned from ongoing operations in regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Legal and policy framework

The office’s work is governed by a complex web of statutes, directives, and policies. Key governing documents include DoD Directive 2060.02 and the DoD Law of War Manual. Its activities, particularly within U.S. airspace, must comply with regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration under Title 49 of the United States Code and the FAA Reauthorization Act. The annual National Defense Authorization Act provides specific guidance and funding mandates. The JCO also helps shape international norms and regulatory discussions on drone proliferation through engagements with bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization and in alignment with U.S. positions articulated by the Department of State.

Category:United States Department of Defense agencies Category:Military of the United States