This year’s Vigilant Shield is planned for Oct. 15-20, according to a release from US Northern Command. Like the 2007 version, it will take place in various states in cooperation with Homeland Security. It will also involve several partner nations, including Australia, Canada, and Britain, and will include Guam. The exercises are intended to test response abilities against a variety of potential threats.
The Pentagon wants to rapidly acquire new technology for downing hostile drones over military bases in the U.S. without endangering nearby civilians or infrastructure. However, experts maintain that engaging drones near civilian areas will always present challenges that technology alone cannot solve.