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// DOSSIER — us-air-force-seeks-chinese-dji-drones-counter
U.S. Air Force Seeks Chinese-Made DJI Drones for Counter-Drone Training at Nuclear Missile Base
REL_TIME: 21 Aug 2026 02:42Z · LANG: EN
The U.S. Air Force's 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming is seeking to acquire Chinese-manufactured DJI drones to conduct realistic counter-drone training. Despite existing restrictions on Chinese technology, the procurement is allowed under a July 2025 Defense Department directive permitting minimum purchases for threat-simulation and electronic warfare testing. Officials argue that training against DJI platforms—which dominate over 80% of the commercial drone market—is an operational necessity because U.S.-vetted 'Blue' drones and computer models cannot accurately replicate DJI's distinct radio frequency signatures and protocols. To mitigate cybersecurity risks, the acquired drones will be loaded with U.S.-made RIZER software and completely air-gapped from Defense Department networks.
// Background
F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming houses up to 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles managed by the 90th Missile Wing under Air Force Global Strike Command. Standard U.S. military policy restricts drone purchases to vetted U.S. 'Blue' manufacturers due to cybersecurity risks associated with Chinese-made technology. However, with the Pentagon reporting 350 drone incursions at U.S. military installations in 2024 and small drones becoming standard in modern combat, military authorities created exemptions for threat-replication training.
// Key Developments
- The 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB plans to buy six Chinese-made DJI drones for realistic threat simulation.
- The solicitation requests refurbished Mavic 2 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, and Avata 2 drones alongside payload-release devices.
- The procurement is authorized under a July 2025 memo allowing minimal foreign drone purchases for counter-drone and electronic warfare testing.
- To address security concerns, the drones will run U.S.-made RIZER software and remain completely isolated from DoD networks.
- DJI controls 80% to 85% of the commercial drone market, making its specific RF signatures and protocols vital for realistic adversary training.
// Timeline
-
The Pentagon reports 350 drone incursions at U.S. military installations.
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Defense Department issues 'Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance' memo authorizing limited foreign drone purchases for training and counter-drone testing.
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Airmen conduct security inspections at an ICBM launch facility near Albin, Wyoming.
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U.S. military personnel participate in training exercises involving DJI drones.
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Stars and Stripes reports on the contract solicitation seeking DJI drones for F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
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DIGITIMES covers the Air Force's planned DJI drone purchase for counter-drone training.
// Perspectives
[U.S. Air Force / 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron]
Views buying DJI drones as an absolute operational necessity to properly train security forces against the most common real-world drone threats.
[Department of Defense Leadership]
Permits limited acquisition of foreign-manufactured drones under strict air-gapped conditions solely for counter-drone development and training.
[National Security Analysts]
Acknowledge that commercial DJI platforms dominate modern tactical warfare, making them necessary benchmarks for effective threat simulation.
// Quotes
“If you want to train in modern tactical drone combat, you got to train against the technology that’s used in that tactical combat, and that’s DJI. No other drone made elsewhere is going to approximate it. DJI is like the new AK-47 for combat right now: simple, easy to use, great out of the box.”
“Drones have become prolific in modern conflict. To ensure the protection of critical strategic assets, the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron must train against all threats they may face.”
“Relying solely on computerized data or alternative ‘Blue’ drones leaves a critical blind spot; operators and systems will remain untested against the actual radio frequency signatures and proprietary protocols of the world’s most prevalent drone threat.”
