The U.S. Army's roughly 600-soldier drone battalion is preparing to return to its traditional airborne infantry mission after completing its work examining the implications of the war in Ukraine for military technology and tactics.
Formed within the 173rd Airborne Brigade in January, the unit conducted experiments with drones and ground robots during its mission in Europe and developed tactics for using these systems.
Findings to be presented during exercise in Germany
The battalion will share its findings during an exercise in Germany. After the exercise, the results are expected to be relayed to Army commanders, and the unit is planned to be removed from its specialized drone assault mission.
The unit's creation was part of an effort by former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and other senior officers to adapt lessons from the war in Ukraine to the U.S. Army. George's "transformation in contact" approach aimed to have frontline units test new technologies and develop new tactics.
Army's approach to technology under debate
Acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve said the Army must prepare for an operational environment fundamentally different from those of past battlefields. The Army has also pledged to accelerate its drone and counter-drone capabilities.
Military experts, however, warned that narrowing the battalion's specialized mission could slow efforts to adapt to battlefields where inexpensive drones, electronic warfare systems and robotic platforms are becoming increasingly decisive.
Defense expert Michael O'Hanlon said Ukraine had changed close-quarters combat to a considerable extent. O'Hanlon argued that setbacks in the Army's drone modernization could have dangerous consequences.
$1.1 billion investment support
The mission-change plan comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supports a broader $1.1 billion military drone investment.
The development has brought into focus how the U.S. Army will adapt to rapid technological change on the battlefield while placing renewed emphasis on traditional combat missions.
