Bradley, Abrams get drone defense upgrade
The U.S. military has begun integrating a lightweight, autonomous weapon system designed to counter drone threats on armored vehicles, including the Abrams tank and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
According to Allen Control Systems, the effort involves mounting mock-up units of the Bullfrog autonomous weapon station onto U.S. armored platforms. The system is built to detect, identify, and neutralize small drones, addressing a growing threat posed by low-cost, commercially available UAVs acting as airborne improvised explosive devices.
“Mechanized infantry & armor platforms from troop transports to fighting vehicles like this Bradley are vulnerable to cheap, fast, lethal drones acting as aerial IEDs,” said Steven Simoni, President of Allen Control Systems. “The Allen Control Systems Bullfrog will reverse that, giving back control to U.S. and allied ground forces.”
The Bullfrog is equipped with a .50 caliber (12.7mm) weapon and a cyclic rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. It is designed to defeat Group 1 through Group 3 UAVs and features both autonomous and semi-autonomous engagement modes. At just 165 pounds without ammunition and accurate to less than 1 MOA, the system is optimized for mobile operations and fixed-point defense.
Company specifications state the Bullfrog can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 1,500 meters. In addition to battlefield deployment, the system can be used to protect critical infrastructure such as power substations.
The U.S. military has been increasingly focused on adapting ground vehicles to counter evolving aerial threats. While large air defense systems are effective against traditional aircraft and missiles, smaller drone threats require decentralized, mobile solutions that can be rapidly deployed to frontline units. The Bullfrog, with its small footprint and flexible mounting options, reflects this shift.
Although the current phase involves mock-up installations for integration testing, Allen Control Systems says the goal is full deployment on armored vehicles. The system’s autonomy also reduces operator workload while offering real-time engagement of rapidly emerging targets in contested environments.
Ukraine’s experience with loitering munitions and DIY quadcopters has underscored the vulnerability of armored vehicles to swarm and precision drone strikes. The U.S. Army’s push to equip platforms like the Bradley and Abrams with purpose-built anti-drone systems signals a doctrinal response to those challenges.
Incorporating systems like Bullfrog may allow U.S. forces to maintain vehicle survivability in high-drone-density environments, while supporting allies facing similar threats. The test program also provides a model for modular integration of counter-UAS systems into existing armored fleets.
