The US has started implementing the lessons from Ukraine’s war-fighting rule book. The US Army’s first all-drone unit is transforming the way the force thinks about using uncrewed systems in the kill chain.

The US Army has raised the 101st Airborne unit comprising a nine-man team designed to coordinate fire, do reconnaissance ahead of vehicles, and kill with loitering munitions.

The 101st’s second brigade has been designated the Army’s first Mobile Brigade Combat Team. The brigade now uses various new technologies, including the Army’s Android-based ATAK mission planning software at multiple command levels.

The unit is fine-tuning its new technologies as the brigade’s new Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company. Equipped with Quadcopters, the unit’s mettle is being tested in weeks-long wargames at the US Army’s Joint Readiness Training Centre by Geronimo, the skilled force that plays the enemy.

Geronimo played a battle scenario in which an adversarial force tried to force the US Army unit to use all its ammunition, as the guerrilla forces vanished into the forest after striking. The Geronimo team has the home team advantage as they have unmatched knowledge of the training area, which sprawls over 250,000 acres of pine forest.

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However, the 101 Airborne unit has a Lethal Unmanned Systems platoon dedicated to short-range reconnaissance drones. If the drone can spot Geronimo forces, it can rain hell by guiding the attached platoon of 81mm mortars to the target.

The unit is part of the US Army’s “transforming-in-contact” initiative. Announced at the beginning of 2024, new equipment is being sent to the 101st brigade, the 10th Mountain Division’s third brigade, and the 25th Infantry Division’s second brigade. Soldiers will give feedback on the platforms, and future doctrines will be formulated accordingly.

The LUS Platoon is part of the Multi-Purpose Company, which has three other platoons—scout, mortar, and anti-tank. The LUS unit comprises 21 soldiers, nine of whom fly drones.

The rest are air defenders who use a mix of anti-aircraft weapons like Stinger missiles and counter-drone weapons, including the Bal Chatri drone detector, Dronebuster jamming rifle, and Modi electronic warfare system.

Taking a cue from the Ukraine strategy, the short-range reconnaissance (SRR) drones will help the US Army spot enemy troops and coordinate the firepower to eliminate them.

However, unlike the Ukrainian drones, the LUS drone operators don’t stream live locations to the firing unit. They depend on a soldier to relay the coordinates over the radio to the mortar section. Also, the data has to be uploaded manually to the battle management systems to make it available to the commanders.

However, the SRR drones can be modified to drop munitions, and soldiers are trained to fly switchblade loitering munitions systems. The SRRs have advanced sensors and offer real-time reconnaissance, security, and target acquisition capabilities to soldiers.

The drones are designed to give operational flexibility and agility to the forces across the battlefield by detecting threats, identifying safe routes, and minimizing exposures to hazards. Instead of sending a road opening party, a drone operator can fly a drone ahead of a moving vehicle.

Later, the team is expected to be equipped with medium-range drones like the C100. The team could also move to operate the first-person-view (FPV) drones that have been used by Ukrainian forces for pinpoint strikes.

Ukraine’s Army Of Drones

Ukraine has unleashed a drone war on Russia. The drones used by Ukrainian forces are cheap, and the country is making them in large quantities.

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FPV drones are operated manually and do not rely on GPS satellite navigation, which reduces their vulnerability to electronic warfare tactics.

In the Russian-Ukrainian war, FPV drones are utilized as high-speed quadcopters for surveillance, observation, ammunition delivery, and even as kamikazes by attaching combat payloads. In the hands of skilled operators, these drones become exact weapons.

Since the initial phase of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian forces have actively incorporated FPV drones into various divisions. These divisions include the Armed Forces, Security Service of Ukraine, Border Guards, National Guard, and Defense Intelligence operatives.

The data emerging from the battlefield indicates the growing role of drone strikes against Russian targets along the 600-mile front. On many days in November, between 50 percent and 70 percent of all damaged or destroyed Russian equipment was attributed to FPV drones, according to figures published by analyst Andrew Perpetua on X.

FPV drones are equipped with a camera that transmits video. Compared to other drones, they excel in speed, accuracy, and control methods. These drones use a controller and goggles, providing the operator with a first-person view (FPV).

Although FPV drones are commonly used for recreational purposes, videography, and live-streaming events, they can also carry payloads and maneuver swiftly. Some models can reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h.

The Russia-Ukraine war has proved to be a breeding ground for electronic warfare. Russia claims to have developed a ‘magic radio’ for FPV drones that will make them highly resistant to jamming in the latest technological development for drones.

The innovation is another testament to how off-the-shelf consumer technology is used in a military environment. Both Russia and Ukraine are augmenting their FPVs manufacturing capabilities.

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