In speech after speech, Army leaders have made it clear that they want more drones in more units. Army Chief of Staff Randy George stated that robotics inside the formation, on the ground, and in the air will become more common. A growing number of Army units, including the Gainey Company in the 82nd Airborne, are engaged in experiments to field and operate new drone systems. The Robotics and Autonomous Systems platoon in Gainey Company evaluates commercially available small drones, particularly first-person-view drones, due to their low cost, which makes experimenting easier.
Experimenting with costly drones from the military’s pre-approved Blue List can create challenges, as they are significantly more expensive than Chinese drones. Gainey Company has grappled with training and organization of drone operators, moving towards staffing permanently assigned operators with high skill levels. Dedicated drone units, similar to those used in Ukraine, may be beneficial for organizing drone operators within the Army.
At the 101st Airborne, drones are being integrated into the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company for identifying and targeting enemy units. The Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence launched the Beehive Classic drone competition course, which includes physical challenges and drone navigation tasks. Capt. Johnson of the 82nd suggests the Army should seek out talented drone operators to meet the increasing demand for drones.
