Edwards launches “Game of Drones” to help deliver Drone Dominance for the Warfighter

  • Published
  • By Chase Kohler
  • 412th Test Wing
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The Experimental Test Force, in collaboration with the Defense Contract Management Agency’s US-X unit, held the inaugural “Game of Drones” event Dec. 8-12 on the historic Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base. The week-long effort brought together six industry partners and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct live experimentation of emerging small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and associated hardware.


(Video production by Blaine Torres)

As the battlefield continues to diversify, the Department of War has called upon both service and industry to rapidly accelerate testing, acquisition, and production of unmanned systems for the warfighter, referred to as Drone Dominance. “Game of Drones” offers a speed-of-now playbook to meet this intent, going from idea to execution in less than four months.


Members of the Experimental Test Force and private industry conduct a performance-based sUAS experiment during the inaugural "Game of Drones" event held at Edwards AFB, CA Dec. 8-12. The week-long effort brought together six industry partners and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct live experimentation of emerging small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and associated hardware. (Photo by Christian Raterman)

Through the execution of unique Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) from the 412th Test Wing, industry partners from emerging to established can rapidly design, 3D-print, and test sUAS systems through agile experimentations across multiple domains such as C2 interoperability, counter-sUAS, rapid field printing, and autonomous swarming. Edwards offers vast restricted airspace, industry-leading talent, and essential infrastructure adjacent to the lakebed, including Large Area Maintenance Shelters (LAMS).


Leadership across the United States Air Force attends a briefing during the inaugural "Game of Drones" event held at Edwards AFB, CA Dec. 8-12. The week-long effort brought together six industry partners and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct live experimentation of emerging small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and associated hardware. (Photo by Christian Raterman)

The combination of collaboration and real-time feedback will help users from across the joint services identify key technologies and designs to expand the Department of War’s Blue List, a program that allows for rapid selection of approved unmanned aerial systems.

The Experimental Test Force is a component of the 412th Test Wing’s Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force. The unit has a broad focus on industry integration across small, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced sensors, and other emerging technologies that support the joint force.

 “Game of Drones” will return in March 2026.  


Members of the Experimental Test Force collaborate with private industry partners during the inaugural "Game of Drones" event held at Edwards AFB, CA Dec. 8-12. The week-long effort brought together six industry partners and engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct live experimentation of emerging small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and associated hardware. (Photo by Christian Raterman)