Pentagon's Rapid Drone Countermeasures Raise Safety Concerns Among Army Specialists
The U.S. military's accelerated efforts to deploy low-cost drones for battlefield use have raised safety concerns, according to an Army explosive safety specialist. A memo obtained by CBS News highlights that the rush to counter unmanned aerial threats may be compromising basic explosive safety standards, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. The memo, written by a civilian Army employee with extensive experience, warns that the Defense Department's urgency to address drone threats could lead to neglecting established safety protocols. This concern follows an incident where a mini-drone detonated, injuring a Special Forces soldier. The device involved, an XM183 'MiniBlast' pyrotechnic cartridge, is designed to simulate combat conditions but has been assessed as having a medium-level hazard risk. The Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command has not yet provided a 'full material release' for this device, which is a formal safety certification. 
