Congressman Kean Joins Secretary Driscoll at Latest Picatinny Arsenal Visit
(December 1, 2025) PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) accompanied U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll during his most recent visit to Picatinny Arsenal. While in Morris County, the two leaders received detailed briefings on the installation’s contributions to Army modernization and discussed its growing role in strengthening America’s warfighting capabilities.
Throughout the visit, Secretary Driscoll and Congressman Kean observed Picatinny's latest advancements in counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) technology and next-generation munitions. Members of the base demonstrated a range of emerging capabilities, including net-based drone capture, enhanced explosives, and electromagnetic tools synced to defense systems. Secretary Driscoll and Picatinny’s top commander, Major General John Reim, also had a productive discussion on the Army’s efforts to accelerate drone acquisition and production.
Secretary Driscoll personally recognized the Arsenal's military and civilian workforce during the visit. Taking the time to praise their exemplary work, the Secretary presented challenge coins to numerous members at the Arsenal. He also discussed opportunities for continued Army investment at the installation.
“I want to thank Secretary Driscoll for his leadership and commitment to strengthening America’s security,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “During our visit to Picatinny Arsenal, we met with the installation’s exceptional workforce whose innovation ensures our military remains the envy of the world. Picatinny continues to step up, delivering groundbreaking technology that directly supports our servicemembers on the battlefield. The talent and expertise here cannot be overstated, and I will always support Picatinny, its workforce, and its mission."
On October 31, 2025, Congressman Kean and Representative Elise Stefanik (NY-21) sent a joint letter to Secretary Driscoll expressing their strong support of the U.S. Army’s proposal to establish a Close Combat Innovation Cell (CCIC) in partnership with Picatinny Arsenal, NJ and the 10th Mountain Infantry Division out of Fort Drum, NY. The CCIC plans to develop new systems that “ensure the technologies it develops are useful to the warfighter in complex battlefield environments.”
As detailed in the letter, one of CCIC’s first innovation projects, Project STARLING, seeks to produce up to 100 3D-printed small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for use within a light infantry brigade combat team. The initiative would empower Picatinny and Fort Drum to fabricate sUAS systems and develop both offensive and defensive swarm capabilities with integrated lethality.
Congressman Kean and Congresswoman Stefanik also advocated for allocating $20 million of Congress’s recent reconciliation package to support counter-UAS development. Counter-UAS remains one of Picatinny’s core capabilities and is a central focus of its research & development mission.
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