The directive covers counter-unmanned aircraft systems used to protect forces, installations and assets. It requires approval authorities to treat delays as an operational risk while maintaining lawful, safe and effective employment.
Authorities must draw on relevant prior approvals, test data and risk mitigations when assessing comparable requests. They must also use interim, conditional or time-bound approvals when testing supports low or manageable risk.
Any denial must carry a documented rationale and be submitted to Joint Interagency Task Force-401, or JIATF-401. Each approval barrier must have an identified owner, timeline and escalation path.
The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer has 30 days to establish a department-wide counter-drone process with the chief information officer and other organizations. The aim is to cut approval timelines for tested and validated systems from months to days or weeks.
The chief information officer will separately review spectrum-request procedures and recommend faster approval methods. The department will support the Defense Innovation Unit’s Project Spectrum Strike in incorporating counter-drone spectrum-management requirements.
Project Spectrum Strike uses automated, AI-driven software to coordinate, authorize and deconflict U.S. government radio spectrum use. Spectrum certification and frequency access are among the four approval barriers addressed by the memorandum.
Military services must not repeat a weapons safety review for an unchanged system, configuration and use case. A new review is required only when a material change introduces a new risk.
JIATF-401 will coordinate counter-drone weapons safety reviews with the Unmanned Systems Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager. The requirement is intended to prevent repeated assessments from delaying employment.
Required legal reviews for counter-drone weapons and weapon systems will be expedited, generally within 10 days of receiving the necessary information. Department components must share completed reviews to support timely and consistent decisions.
