During secret exercises, the Pentagon recreated the SBU's "Spider Web" special operation
The Pentagon is reevaluating its approach to countering drones, drawing on lessons from the war in Ukraine as well as our legendary special operations behind enemy lines. Large-scale exercises were held in Florida, during which massive drone attacks were simulated to assess the effectiveness of the U.S. defense system.
This was reported by Defense One.
According to the publication, during Operation Clear Horizon at Eglin Air Force Base, special forces recreated the “Spider Web” tactic that Ukraine used against Russia.
The simulation utilized a wide range of devices—from small commercial drones to large systems resistant to electronic warfare (EW) measures.
A key feature of the tests was the use of fiber-optic-controlled drones and devices operating via the LTE network. This allowed operators to control the equipment even from other states.
The results of the exercises showed that U.S. forces need a unified system for integrating data from radars and interception systems. Additionally, the military recognized the need to develop low-cost interceptor drones.
Currently, the U.S. often spends millions of dollars on expensive missiles to destroy low-cost drones.
Brigadier General Matt Ross, who heads the Pentagon’s UAV Countermeasures Center, noted that over the past six weeks, the U.S. has allocated more than $600 million for the rapid integration of new technologies.
“We were in Ukraine about six weeks ago, talking with the Unmanned Systems Forces… We reviewed these most promising technologies and cited data on their effectiveness in Ukraine, rather than the agency’s internal tests,” Ross said.
According to him, the development of autonomous systems is proceeding much faster than annual budgets are formulated, which creates new security challenges.
It should be noted that in Russia, the case regarding the Ukrainian “Spiderweb” operation is proceeding along a similar model to the investigation into the bombing of the Crimean Bridge.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out a large-scale covert operation codenamed “Spiderweb,” the aim of which was to attack Russian military airfields.
The head of Russia’s FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, accused the British intelligence service (MI6) of assisting the SBU in carrying out the famous “Spiderweb” operation, during which dozens of Russian strategic aircraft were destroyed or damaged.
On June 1, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a large-scale special operation “Spiderweb,” striking four Russian strategic airfields—Olenya, Belaya, Dyagilevo, and Ivanovo—with drones.
As a result, 41 enemy aircraft were hit, including A-50 reconnaissance aircraft, as well as Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers.
