Iran’s drone swarms challenge US air defenses as troops in Middle East face rising threats

Iran’s drone swarms challenge US air defenses as troops in Middle East face rising threats

Sustained Iranian drone attacks are driving the Pentagon to expand layered counter-drone defenses, including interceptor systems and emerging laser technology

An Iran-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle is displayed at a rally in Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 11, 2026. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/via Getty Images)

A Polish Army soldier carries an AS3 Surveyor interceptor drone, part of the U.S. "MEROPS" counter-drone system, during a live-fire demonstration at the Deba training grounds in Poland, Nov. 18, 2025. (tur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The recent deployment of the Merops drone-on-drone interceptor into U.S. Central Command reflects that approach. (WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)