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As drones become an increasingly common weapon on the battlefield, protecting troops on the move has become a top priority. In southern Germany, the U.S. Army is testing a range of compact counter-drone systems designed specifically for dismounted soldiers — a move that reflects the growing need for lightweight, field-ready protection against aerial threats.
The evaluation, underway in Bavaria, brings together a mix of technologies that can be worn, mounted on vehicles, or attached directly to firearms. The goal is to identify which systems offer the most practical and effective defense for soldiers operating in small units and unpredictable terrain, according to The Defense Post.
One of the solutions being tested is a wearable package known as the EchoShield, a U.S.-made radar unit small enough to mount on a vehicle but powerful enough to detect drones, aircraft, and ground vehicles up to 30 kilometers away. Its flexibility makes it suitable not only for combat zones but also for border security and coastal monitoring.
Another system under review is the Soldier Kit. Developed by MyDefence from Denmark, it includes two main components: the Wingman, a real-time drone detection sensor, and Pitbull, a compact signal jammer. Together, they scan for drone activity and disrupt hostile signals, all while weighing under 1.5 kilograms — light enough to clip onto a uniform or slip into a backpack without slowing down the user.
Finally, Israeli innovation is playing a role through the testing of the Smartshooter system — a targeting add-on that turns a standard rifle into a precision anti-drone weapon. The device uses optical tracking and fire control technology to guide the shooter, significantly improving accuracy against fast-moving aerial targets.
As drone warfare continues to evolve, the demand for agile, soldier-level defenses is becoming more urgent. The technologies currently undergoing field evaluation represent a shift toward decentralized, frontline protection, where individual troops can detect, disrupt, and neutralize aerial threats without relying on larger, fixed systems.
