U.S. Forces, Partner Nations Defend Against Maritime Drones in Exercise Cobra Gold - USNI News
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U.S. forces and partner nations trained to defend against swarms of maritime drones during exercise Cobra Gold 2026 in Thailand, according to a Tuesday announcement from defense company QinetiQ. QinetiQ Target Systems Canada provided 10 Hammerhead Uncrewed Surface Vehicles Targets (USV-T), deploying the drones for three realistic threat scenarios for Cobra Gold 2026. Four Hammerhead USV-Ts were first used to replicate a beach assault force as fast in-shore attack craft. The four drones, remotely controlled from land, were launched and recovered at sea by the QinetiQ field services team and the Royal Thai Navy, according to the release. In the

QinetiQ Target Systems Canada provided 10 Hammerhead Uncrewed Surface Vehicles Targets (USV-T), deploying the drones for three realistic threat scenarios for Cobra Gold 2026.

Four Hammerhead USV-Ts were first used to replicate a beach assault force as fast in-shore attack craft. The four drones, remotely controlled from land, were launched and recovered at sea by the QinetiQ field services team and the Royal Thai Navy, according to the release.

In the second and third scenarios, all 10 Hammerheads were used to simulate an explosive-laden swarm disrupting navies and global shipping. The drones were launched and controlled from a Royal Thai Navy ship.