The US Army has released “Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Techniques,” a manual for soldiers and commanders who find themselves in the field fighting forces that use modified consumer drones to gather intelligence and project force against them.
The manual features a lot of advice that boils down to, “Welp, there’s not much we can do, huh?” Like: get some soldiers to watch for drones. Try to figure out what kind of drones your enemies have. Try to move around when the weather is too rough for drone-flying. When you see a drone, take some countermeasures. Which countermeasures? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The best is at the end, which is all about trying to shoot down drones, which is pretty hard.
1. Establish preselected aim points when the unit is in a
static position.Accuracy in relation to target hits is not necessary.
Accuracy in relation to the aim point is necessary.
Coordinated high-volume of fire that the aircraft has to
fly through, will achieve the desired results.2. Engage aerial platforms with small arms.
a. Soldiers utilize all the basic firing positions for air
defense except the prone position.b. Soldiers using semi-automatic weapons will
assume a supported firing position with cover if
available, firing a cyclic rate of 20-25 rounds.c. Soldiers using machine guns will assume a
supported firing position utilizing cover if available,
firing a 50-100 round burst at the target aiming point.
d. If necessary gunners use fellow Soldiers, trees,
debris and man-made structures as hasty firing
supports.3. Leaders direct small arms air defense measures
against hostile aerial platforms attacking a moving
target.a. Give air attack alarm.
b. Disperse vehicles laterally and in-depth or vehicle
operators continue to move unit.c. Move vehicles to covered, concealed positions. All
personnel not assigned crew served weapons
dismount and prepare to engage the aircraft or
increase dispersion.d. Engage non-attacking aircraft only as directed.
e. Visually identify threat aerial platforms.
f. Report all aerial platforms actions to higher
headquarters using spot report.g. Senior leader order the unit to engage.
h. Engage the aerial platforms with all available small
arms.i. Reload weapons following engagement of aircraft.
4. Leaders direct combined arms air defense
measures against hostile aerial platforms attacking
stationary unit.a. Give air attack alarm.
b. All available personnel immediately engage
attacking aerial platforms per SOP.c. Reload weapons following the engagement.
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Techniques [Headquarters, Department of the Army]
(via 4 Short Links)