The Future of Warfare: Drones Guiding the Firepower of the 101st Airborne Division

The Future of Warfare: Drones Guiding the Firepower of the 101st Airborne Division
The future of warfare is being reimagined with the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. From mortars to missiles, every level of indirect weaponry could be guided by drones, marking a significant shift in military strategy and technology.
The Role of Drones in the 101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division, under the command of Major General Brett Sylvia, is pioneering the use of drones in the battlefield. Small UAS could be tied to the employment of mortars, medium UAS to artillery, and larger UAS to air-launch effects and other higher-order precision munitions. This integration of drones into the division's firepower is part of the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George’s "transforming-in-contact" initiative, which aims to rapidly evaluate new technology by fielding it directly to select units.
Experimentation and Implementation
The 101st's second brigade has been designated as the Army’s first Mobile Brigade Combat Team, now using a variety of new technologies. This includes the Army’s Android-based ATAK mission planning software at multiple echelons of command. The brigade's new Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company serves as a testing ground for these new technologies.
The Tactical Advantage of Drones
Units might organize themselves in several ways to leverage their drones. Infantry squads might use small drones to scout ahead, with soldiers operating drones as an additional duty to their job as a rifleman. A dedicated drone unit might then operate at a higher echelon to provide reconnaissance for long-range, expensive weapons. This integration of drones into the kill-chain-the process of finding, picking, and destroying a target-will eventually tighten the division's firepower.
Lessons from the Battlefield
Both Russia and Ukraine have extensively used drones for coordinating every level of fires. Ukrainian drone teams often share video directly with artillery teams via Google Meet, communicating with the gunners to correct their fire. This close connection between drones and other forms of fires has even allowed Russia to hunt and destroy Ukrainian military equipment far behind enemy lines.
Beyond Drones: The Integrated Tactical Network
Besides drone experimentation, the 101st is also working on improving communications by extending the integrated tactical network, or ITN, across the division. The division is trying out the new tech-and new tactics-in exercises like "Lethal Eagle," a 21-day wargame held last month.
Conclusion
The 101st Airborne Division is at the forefront of integrating drones into the battlefield, transforming the future of warfare. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the tactics and strategies employed by the U.S. Army, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of military operations.
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