The U.S. Army conducted a multiweek evaluation of emerging counter-drone technologies at Truppenuebungsplatz Putlos in northern Germany, bringing together air defense troops, acquisition specialists, and industry engineers. Led by the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the event tested new C-UAS prototypes under realistic conditions, providing insights into their performance against evolving unmanned threats. The Baltic Sea training area offered ideal terrain and airspace for live drone flights and sensor testing. The highlight was Project FlyTrap 4.5, a classified assessment that integrated experimental systems into an operational command-and-control network used by NATO’s Eastern Flank forces. Support from V Corps and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment enabled real-unit maneuver scenarios that validated interoperability and rapid sensor-to-shooter links. The trials will directly inform the Army’s layered defense strategy and future procurement decisions for protecting NATO units from small unmanned aerial systems.
