Gambit and Pendleton Launch Red-Force Service for Counter-UAS Validation
What happened
Pendleton UAS Range and Gambit announced a joint offering that places adversary drone fleets into managed test envelopes to evaluate counter-UAS systems. The partners will stage a public demonstration on April 23, 2026, where suppliers, government customers, and infrastructure operators can observe coordinated threat scenarios. Organizers emphasize repeatability, safety controls, and a non-kinetic default operating mode while reserving kinetic options behind approvals. This move turns a static lab test into a live operational rehearsal for detection, prioritization, and operator workflow assessment.
Operational significance
Gambit supplies behavior-based mission templates that convert intent into distributed execution across heterogeneous drone teams, reducing the manual orchestration burden on range staff. Mr. Giegel framed the capability as a way to force-test adaptive threats against real sensors and engagements rather than synthetic scenarios. For vendors, the service shortens the feedback loop between sensor tuning and tactical procedures, making fielded systems more resilient under stress. For operators, it creates training sequences that replicate multi-axis, learning adversaries rather than isolated single-platform incidents.
Broader implications and context
This partnership arrives amid rising procurement and R&D activity in counter-UAS across military and critical infrastructure markets, where demand for operationally validated kits has surged. Mr. Steele positioned Pendleton as a scalable environment to validate system integration and human-in-the-loop decisioning before procurement or deployment. Expect suppliers who use live red-team data to claim shorter acceptance cycles and higher confidence in rules-of-engagement logic. Learn more about the range here and Gambit here.
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