A battlefield improvisation has given US Army crews a 3D-printed device for unmanned aerial system (UAS) that replaces traditional periscopes, enabling reconnaissance from inside armored vehicles.
The UAS Protection System (UPS) is designed to allow troops to operate drones from inside the vehicle by integrating into the periscope port, reducing the need to dismount during operations.
Army Cpt. Jonathan Price and Sgt. 1st Class Scott Kibby invented the system to give soldiers a more accessible tool that reduces exposure while maintaining situational awareness.
The pair moved the concept to a working prototype in just two weeks, working with the Marne Innovations Center (MIC) of the 3rd Infantry Division for support with equipment and 3D printing.
“The ability to keep soldiers out of harm’s way while still accomplishing the same mission provides significant protection compared to having more soldiers exposed on the ground,” Kibby said.
“Detection matters the most to those that are closest to the enemy. So, we found out that the problem we wanted to address was how do we reduce that at the user level — reduce the threat but maintain the capability.”
An Accidental Start
The UPS concept emerged during a night training exercise when Kibby’s Bradley fighting vehicle was missing its periscope, forcing a soldier to dismount and operate a drone outside.
Concerned that the bright tablet screen could reveal their position, Kibby instructed the soldier to move back inside and control the drone by sticking the tablet through the periscope opening instead.
Following the exercise, Kibby and Price formalized the approach into the UPS design, using low-cost components sourced through the MIC.
The result? A system that can be produced quickly and adapted for use across other units.
“The preservation of combat power and the protection of our soldiers is our number one priority,” Price stated. “Now that we have systems that take continuous skill to be able to operate, we must implement them rapidly, effectively, and multiple times.”
The UPS is now being fielded across multiple formations within the 3rd Infantry Division.
