The Evolving Landscape of Drone Warfare: Is the U.S. Army Prepared?
As the U.S. Army observes the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, military strategists are gathering invaluable insights into the rapid evolution of drones in combat. The lessons learned from these theaters reveal a startling truth: drones are becoming increasingly lethal, and U.S. soldiers must be prepared to defend against emerging threats. What we’re currently witnessing may be merely the tip of the iceberg.
Technological Developments in Drone Warfare
“We’re seeing the technology advance faster,” states Col. Glenn Henke, commandant and chief of the Army’s Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It’s not just the technology that is evolving; the strategies for utilizing these machines in combat are also changing at an unprecedented pace.
The Ukrainian Conflict: A Case Study
The war in Ukraine has marked the onset of a new era in drone warfare. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces leverage uncrewed systems for a range of operations, from reconnaissance to targeted strikes. As both nations innovate technologically, they continuously aim to outpace one another on the battlefield.
Similarly, in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, drones have found a wide array of applications among various actors, including the U.S., Israel, Iran, and Iran-backed groups. From Lebanon to Yemen, drone technology has become a pivotal component of regional military strategies.
The Need for Preparedness
According to Col. Henke, “We are at just the beginning of this evolution.” He emphasizes that the capabilities of drone technology are expanding rapidly, with each new innovation presenting fresh challenges to military defenses. “The platforms are becoming much more capable, much more lethal,” he warns, noting that what worked yesterday might not be effective today.
Training and Countermeasures
Henke heads the Army’s Joint C-sUAS (Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System) University, or JCU, where U.S. servicemembers learn to identify, engage, and neutralize hostile drones. This training is part of a broader initiative to counter the growing threat posed by uncrewed systems.
While U.S. forces have yet to experience the extensive drone warfare seen in Ukraine, they have encountered various drone threats in the Middle East. In recent months, Iranian-backed groups have launched multiple drone assaults against American bases and assets, causing the deaths of servicemembers and underscoring the urgency of enhancing defensive capabilities.
Strategic Initiatives by the Pentagon
In response to these threats, the Pentagon unveiled a new counter-drone strategy late last year. This initiative aims to tackle the challenges posed by adversaries who are swiftly advancing their own drone capabilities. In a statement, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted, “These cheap systems are increasingly changing the battlefield, threatening U.S. installations, and wounding or killing our troops.”
Command and Control in Drone Defense
Henke emphasizes that understanding command and control (C2) in drone defense is crucial. The Army is actively working on its next-generation C2 initiative aimed at streamlining command and control software to enable a comprehensive dashboard for drone threats.
Moreover, the Army is committed to distributing counter-drone equipment across different operational levels, including the Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS). This system is designed to handle complex drone threats that go beyond the small quadcopter-style systems prevalent in Ukraine.
The Role of Individual Soldiers
Equipping individual soldiers, squads, and platoons is also a priority. Observations from last year highlighted U.S. troops training with devices like the Smart Shooter and Dronebuster, which employ both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to neutralize small drones.
However, as Henke puts it, predicting which technologies to invest in three years down the road is increasingly challenging, given the rapid pace of drone evolution. He advocates for flexible funding to ensure the Army can pivot quickly to acquire new capabilities in the face of emerging drone threats.
As the landscape of warfare continues to evolve, the Army must stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that its soldiers are equipped and ready for what lies ahead.
