Drones, jammers and big balloons: In Morocco, Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force tests EW tech

U.S. and Moroccan forces deployed high‑altitude balloons, drones, electronic jammers, and kinetic assets during the Arcane Thunder 24 exercise in Morocco’s Agadir region. The 2nd Multi‑Domain Effects Battalion used these assets to detect, locate, and counter simulated enemy transmitters. Our 40-lb, solar-electric K1000ULE UAS supported persistent ISR missions, teaming with balloons and launching effects to triangulate emitter locations up to 300–500 kilometers away.

During demonstrations at the NDIA Emerging Technologies conference, Lt. Col. Ritzema explained how the K1000ULE and balloons provided a “persistent stare” to cue follow-on drones or kinetic assets. The combined setup allowed forces to find and fix emitter targets in remote terrain, then decide whether to jam or strike, pushing real-time multi-domain coordination in contested environments.

Read the full story at Breaking Defense.

Written by Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley M. Morris