The US military has been experimenting with the use of drones for almost a century, but it's only recently that technological advances have made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) a game changer in warfare. Today, at least 79 countries field drones; 23 of those countries arm them.Earlier this year, VICE News was one of the first media outlets ever granted access to the US military's annual Black Dart exercise, a decade-old joint exercise that focuses on detecting, countering, and defeating UAVs.As we watched tens of millions of dollars worth of military equipment go up against $1,000 drones, Black Dart demonstrated the way rapidly evolving drone technology is challenging the military's most basic assumptions about controlling the air. (One civilian drone maker we visited told us that the technology he has at his fingertips is outpacing some R&D efforts at big aerospace contractors.) And so Black Dart continues to encourage innovation in the effort to keep the US military one step ahead in the cat-and-mouse game between drones and drone killers.Subscribe to VICE News on YouTubeFollow VICE News on TwitterLike VICE News on Facebook
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Black Dart is the US' Answer to Drones: War Games
Earlier this year, VICE News was one of the first media outlets ever granted access to the US military's annual Black Dart Exercise.