The US Army tested the FD-1 interceptor drone by launching it from an SGT Stout air defence vehicle in Poland between 2 and 6 November. The firing took place at the Ustka training ground under the Audacious Fury test programme, aimed at finding cheaper methods to counter mass drone attacks and preserve anti-aircraft missiles for more difficult targets.
Developed by Mountain Horse Solutions, the FD-1 is a high-speed FPV quadcopter guided by video from an onboard camera. According to its claimed specifications, the drone reaches speeds exceeding 265 kilometres per hour during terminal approach, with an operational range of roughly six kilometres, or more than 20 kilometres when paired with an external antenna. The quadcopter features a Pixel-Lock capability allowing visual tracking after target designation, with launch preparations taking under two minutes.
A battery of the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment conducted the live launches and is developing operating procedures, training regimens and operator certification, with plans to expand the programme to other US military units in Europe. The SGT Stout vehicle, built on a Stryker chassis and previously designated M-SHORAD, is already armed with Stinger missiles, a 30 mm autocannon, a machine gun, radar and electro-optical sensors.
The service is procuring the interceptors alongside operational evaluations. On 8 October, the US Army ordered 385 FD-1 drones, adding to an earlier purchase of 300 units.
