# Army assesses FD-1 drone interceptor to develop training for novice operators The Poland assessment sought to develop operator training for wider use of the drone interceptor. Published 2026-11-07 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/07/army-assesses-fd-1-drone-interceptor-to-develop-training/ The Army assessed the FD-1 drone interceptor at Ustka Training Area in Poland.[1] Operation Audacious Fury ran Nov. 2–6, 2026.[1] The 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment’s Tactics, Integration and Employment Battery led the internal assessment.[1] The battalion is working toward a training method that other units can use.[1] Staff Sgt. Felix Aguilar, a platoon sergeant with the battery, said the unit sought to develop tactics and a training and certification system for soldiers unfamiliar with flying first-person view drones.[1] The exercise sought cost-effective, lower-tier kinetic magazine depth against Group 1–3 and massed uncrewed aircraft threats.[1] Battalion commander Lt. Col. John Verwiel said the unit could use many systems against massed drone threats while staying on the right side of the cost curve.[1] He said the aim was to avoid using high-end munitions ineffectively.[1] Mountain Horse Solutions, a Global Ordnance company, produces the interceptor.[2] On Oct. 12, it announced a second order from the Army’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate.[2] Issued Oct. 8 under an Other Transaction Agreement, the award followed an initial award in the spring.[2] The Army’s account of the assessment gives no intercept results or unit cost, and Mountain Horse’s announcement gives neither the order quantity nor its value.[1][2] ## Why it matters Verwiel wants to standardize training and the engagement process, then extend them across the force at scale.[1] Battery soldiers are intended to become trainers who pass what they learn, along with training and certification, to other units under U.S. Army Europe and Africa.[1] ## Sources 1. DVIDS: U.S. Army Air Defenders In Europe Assess C-UAS Interceptor, Nov. 6, 2026 2. Mountain Horse Solutions: Second G-TEAD Order for FD-1 Interceptor, Oct. 12, 2026