Planes Mimic Enemy Shahed-136 Drones in US War Games

Introduction to Drone Replication in Military Exercises

For the past week, two small experimental aircraft operated by KestrelX have been simulating long-range kamikaze drones like the Iranian Shahed-136 off the coast of Savannah, Georgia. These drones, which gained notoriety through their use in the Russia-Ukraine war, represent a growing threat that the U.S. military is now actively training against. During the Sentry South 26.1 exercise, these aircraft helped U.S. fighter squadrons practice tracking and destroying such threats. KestrelX’s Risen KX-2 propeller-driven planes, the world’s fastest ultralights, were chosen for their suitability in over-water missions, building on the company’s prior work with microjets in exercises like Northern Strike 24-2. This marks the first media-embedded flight in such a mission, highlighting the evolving need for realistic drone threat replication.

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Background on KestrelX and Its Leadership

KestrelX was founded by Don Moseley, a former Navy pilot with extensive experience in F-14s, F/A-18s, and the Tomahawk missile program, who later worked as a test pilot and in adversary roles for companies like Draken. The idea for KestrelX emerged in 2019 while Moseley was flying adversary jets in the Nevada Test and Training Range, where he observed the limitations of using expensive assets like F-117s and F-35s to simulate low-observable threats. Recognizing the cost-effectiveness of replicating weaponized UAVs seen in Ukraine, Moseley selected aircraft like the SubSonex JSX-2 (renamed KX-1) and later the KX-2, enhancing them with radar cross-section reductions through shaping and coatings. Supported by an AFWERX contract, KestrelX developed manned, low-observable aircraft for flexible threat simulation under FAA regulations.

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Evolution of Aircraft and Exercise Integration

KestrelX’s aircraft, including the enduring KX-2 with speeds from slow loiter to 240 knots, are designed to mimic a range of threats with low radar and infrared signatures, internal payloads, and safety features like parachutes. After successful evaluations against F-16s and Navy carrier groups, the company adapted for longer over-water missions, adding fuel tanks and pods for emissions simulation. Director of Operations Daniel “Bop” Holmes, a former F-15E and F-22 pilot, emphasizes the aircraft’s flexibility in large force exercises, allowing realistic training against slow, low-flying drones without the restrictions of unmanned systems. Feedback from pilots, including those involved in real-world intercepts over Israel and the Red Sea, underscores the challenges of detecting and engaging such targets, often requiring guns or laser-guided rockets.

Impact of Sentry South 26.1 and Future Prospects

Sentry South 26.1, hosted by the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, involved over 75 aircraft from multiple branches and contractors, focusing on defensive counter-air against drone threats in vast offshore airspace. KestrelX’s KX-2s replicated Shahed-136 profiles at low altitudes, challenging fighters like F-22s and F/A-18s in scenarios that included gun attacks and mixed-altitude tactics. Exercise director Lt. Col. Joseph “Stone” Walz praised the unique training value, noting it addresses gaps exposed in recent conflicts. With plans to expand to 10 KX-2s and additional pods for jamming and emissions, KestrelX aims to simulate drone swarms and support more exercises, enhancing U.S. readiness for emerging threats.