**SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii**—In a few years, visitors to this Army installation northwest of Honolulu will likely see advancements that resemble what today is still considered fiction, according to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. On Tuesday, he mentioned, “I think you will see in a couple of years when you drive back on this base is you’ll see an infantry squad vehicle going out into training with some autonomously led robots beside it, and some drones that are capable of swarming flying above it.” He emphasized that the integration of human and machine will soon transition from science fiction to reality.
Driscoll, alongside Army Chief Gen. Randy George, visited Hawaii as part of a broader trip through the Indo-Pacific. Their itinerary includes visits to Australia for the significant Talisman Sabre exercise and to the Philippines. While in Australia on Friday, they observed the firing of a Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from an Australian HIMARS. This event marked two significant milestones: it was the first instance of the long-range missile being fired west of the international date line and also the first time in Australia.
Driscoll highlighted the capabilities of the PrSM, which has a range of approximately 300 miles and can engage moving targets on both land and at sea. Notably, two missiles can be launched from a single HIMARS unit.
On Tuesday, Driscoll, alongside Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans of the 25th Infantry Division, stood before two of the division’s new HIMARS rocket launchers. He accentuated the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region to the Army. “The threat in INDOPACOM is more real than ever before,” he remarked, indicating that soldiers had expressed concerns about older equipment, such as Humvees and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, which were often ineffective in specific terrains, such as those found in the Philippines.
In response, Driscoll stated that the Army is providing new capabilities better suited for Pacific environments, including the Infantry Squad Vehicle and advanced types of drones. This initiative forms part of the Army’s ongoing transformation effort, termed “transformation in contact.” The division is set to acquire a total of 16 HIMARS as part of this modernization.
Gen. George noted that the 25th Infantry Division is at the forefront of these transformation efforts, contributing significantly to the Army’s understanding of how new equipment functions in various Pacific conditions. He remarked, “This unit is moving fast. The Army is moving fast to make sure that we’re transforming.”
Furthermore, reflecting on the dynamics of modern warfare, Driscoll stated that while the U.S. is deliberately designing its Army to address threats from China, it is also essential to remain adaptable. “If you look at how warfare has unfolded throughout human history, most humans have gotten guesses wrong about where war will happen,” he elaborated, stressing the need for flexibility, agility, and innovation in responding to potential conflicts.
