Army Soldiers Develop Prototype to Recover Enemy Drones

The innovative system won an award at the Army's first Best Drone Warfighter competition.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:49am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic drone recovery device, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate mechanical components as it captures a damaged enemy drone, conceptually representing the Army's efforts to develop innovative solutions for drone warfare.The Army's new prototype drone recovery system aims to safely capture enemy drones for intelligence gathering without destroying the technology.Today in Nashville

A team of Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers is collaborating with the Army Research Laboratory to create a prototype enemy drone recovery system. The innovative concept won an award at the Army's inaugural Best Drone Warfighter competition in February.

Why it matters

As drone technology continues to advance, the ability to safely recover enemy drones has become an increasingly important capability for the military. This prototype system could help reduce the risks and costs associated with drone operations.

The details

The soldiers came up with the idea for the enemy drone recovery system over a couple of beers after the competition. They are now working with the Army Research Laboratory to develop a working prototype of the innovative technology.

  • The Best Drone Warfighter competition took place in February 2026.
  • The soldiers began developing the prototype system shortly after winning the innovation award.

The players

Pennsylvania Army National Guard

A state-level military force that is part of the United States Army and Air National Guard.

Army Research Laboratory

The corporate research laboratory for the United States Army that conducts research to enhance the Army's operational capabilities.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to work with the Army Research Lab to turn our award-winning idea into a real prototype that could help keep our troops safe.”

— Sergeant John Doe, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

What’s next

The soldiers and Army Research Laboratory team plan to have a working prototype ready for field testing within the next six months.

The takeaway

This innovative drone recovery system highlights the importance of empowering soldiers to develop creative solutions to emerging battlefield challenges. If successful, it could become a valuable tool for the military in future drone operations.