How many drones does the Army need? A lot more.
The experience of two brigades suggests that the number is far larger than it’s buying—and that’s just for training.
Sam Skove | October 11, 2024
Army Drones AUSA
The Army is buying hundreds of small drones as it starts to equip its infantry with warfare’s latest must-have weapon, but that’s not nearly enough. The experience of current units suggests the service will need to buy thousands per year just to meet training objectives, let alone go to war.
In February, Army Chief of Staff Randy George announced the “transforming-in-contact” effort, in which would send new kit to three infantry brigades that would evaluate it. The strategy focuses on technologies the Army sees as important for the future of warfare, including improved communications, electronic warfare capabilities, and small drones.
The three units are the 101st Airborne’s 2nd Brigade, the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade, and 10th Mountain 3rd Brigade. The Army may yet add more; the 3rd Infantry Division, for example, is hastening to apply lessons from these brigades’ experience.
Alongside the new tech have come new formations designed to use the drones for maximum effectiveness.
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2024/10/how-many-drones-does-army-need-more/400251/?oref=d1-homepage-river
