AFCENT Battle Lab demonstrates drone defense capabilities

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Johnathan Greene, assigned to the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Lab, shows Col. Kevin D. Hicok, right, 20th Fighter Wing commander, small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) defense capabilities at Shaw Air Force Base.

A plume of smoke rises from a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) after it is neutralized during a 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Lab base defense demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base on June 5.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Will Sherwood A small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) swarm is staged for takeoff during a U.S. Air Force 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Lab base defense demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base on June 5, 2026. The purpose of the demonstration was to showcase the capabilities of friendly sUAS-based systems to locate, identify and neutralize unauthorized sUASs near military installations.

U.S. Air Force photos by Airman Will Sherwood U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Branden Simon, assigned to the Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Lab, holds a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) after it was employed during a base defense demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base on June 5. The purpose of the demonstration was to showcase the capabilities of sUAS-based aerial defenses to locate, identify and neutralize unauthorized sUASs near military installations.

Members of the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) Battle Lab pose for a group photo with Col. Kevin Hicok, fourth from left, 20th Fighter Wing commander, after demonstrating the defense capabilities of small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) aerial defenses at Shaw Air Force Base on June 5. The 9th Air Force Battle Lab leverages 20th Fighter Wing airspace, resources and personnel to develop emerging sUAS base defense capabilities. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Will Sherwood