Seeking Drone Superiority? Allow the Squad to Crumble
The United States Army is recognising the importance of adaptable and expendable small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in the hands of small units, as they become essential battlefield tools in large-scale combat operations.
In a bid to keep pace with this sUAS revolution, the Army is making significant changes to its approach. The traditional defense acquisition system, with its focus on compliance, long timelines, and rigid requirements, is ill-suited for the rapid advancements in this field.
To address this, leaders are proposing a reallocation of existing sUAS research, development, and procurement funds towards unit-level experimentation. This shift is inspired by the success of Ukrainian units using sUAS in their conflict with Russia.
The U.S. Army Futures Command has already announced the reallocation of part of its research, development, and procurement funds to tactical units. This move will enable them to acquire, test, and modify small unmanned aerial systems, empowering the Army's youngest warfighters to innovate faster than adversaries.
The next war preparation should focus on the squad leader and the drone in his or her rucksack. A true shift would involve creating dedicated drone innovation budgets at the battalion and company level, allowing commanders to fail fast and often without career penalty.
This approach is in line with the lean startup model, which emphasises the value of early and cheap tactical failures. It also aligns with the model's emphasis on rapid iteration and adaptation, as sUAS technology changes rapidly and is driven by commercial market forces.
Commanders can establish safety protocols, no-fly zones, and unit-level airspace management tools to ensure safe drone operations. A culture shift in sUAS across all combat units requires embedding drone experimentation into training cycles.
Innovation in a world of massed, networked, and expendable sUAS will not come from a program office but from the lower levels. Local authority to experiment and innovate is crucial for units to gain a cumulative advantage in drone warfare.
Ukraine and Russia are already deploying drones for various tactical purposes in their conflict. Ukrainian units are using commercial drones at various echelons, modifying them on the fly for adaptability.
The Department of Defense should adopt a tiered approach to security for drones, where certain classes of drones meet baseline standards and others are approved for higher-risk missions. A culture of innovation and experimentation, coupled with a focus on safety and security, will be key to the Army's success in this new era of warfare.
Major Charlie Phelps, a Special Forces officer and currently serving as a company commander in 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), is at the forefront of this shift. His experiences and insights provide a compelling case for the need to empower warfighters to innovate faster than the adversary in the realm of sUAS.
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