U.S. forces deployed in Africa are testing a new way to shield personnel from drone attacks-by deploying a kind of «curtain» made up of commercial drones. The initiative was reported by Stars and Stripes, citing AFRICOM’s director of innovation, Lieutenant Colonel Jared Bindl.

The concept centers on adapting readily available commercial technologies into a counter-drone system. According to Bindl, it involves combining sensors with drones to create what he described as a protective barrier surrounding military facilities.

As Stars and Stripes notes, the project has been dubbed «Closed Curtain» and is being developed against the backdrop of a growing drone threat across the region. Specific sources of that threat, however, have not been identified.

Bindl indicated that risks remain persistent within AFRICOM’s area of responsibility, prompting efforts to build a layered and comprehensive defense system. He framed the «Closed Curtain» approach as just one of several options under consideration to reduce the vulnerability of U.S. personnel.

The report also highlights that U. S. Africa Command has long supported Somali armed forces in their fight against terrorist groups.