Operation Spiderweb shapes Army plans to defend US bases

In a future conflict, adversaries could try to cripple US forces before fighting begins with cyberattacks and drone strikes. The Army tested that challenge in a recent tabletop exercise that drew lessons from Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, finding useful insights on defending infrastructure from small drones while noting there is no single silver-bullet solution.

Last month the Army convened federal and local partners for its first summit on defending critical defense infrastructure at Fort Bragg. Planners focused on threats that could disrupt data and communications, shut down electricity and other utilities, and hinder the Army's ability to gather forces quickly.

Brandon Pugh framed the task as turning best practices and lessons learned into a playbook usable by a local garrison commander who is not a cyber or physical protection expert.

United States, Fort Bragg

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