Policy Paper Release

Defeating the Drones: The Airman’s Imperative to Defend Against Small UAV

DATE: July 30, 2026 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am ET

ONLINE: Register for online event details.

United States Air Force forward operating installations face a grave threat given air and missile threats, especially when it comes to small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV). Recent combat events in places like Ukraine and the Middle East highlight the significance of this threat. It’s time to pursue new operational concepts, tactics, and procure necessary technologies to mitigate this threat.

Join us for the release of the Mitchell Institute’s newest report exploring how the U.S. Air Force can address the sUAV threat, Defeating the Drones: The Airman’s Imperative to Defend Against Small UAV, by Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Fellow for the Mitchell Institute Center for Unmanned and Autonomy Studies.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.), former commander of United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), will join the Mitchell Institute to provide his unique perspectives and insights on the report’s findings and recommendations.


Speakers

Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell USAF (Ret.)Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, Mitchell Institute
Gen Glen D. VanHerck USAF (Ret.)Former Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command
Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula USAF (Ret.)Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
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