The Pentagon has announced a major renovation to massify the use of small drones, including armed models in all US military.
The most radical change treats these devices as “consumable ammunition”, simplifying their acquisition and operation. Now intermediate -level commanders (such as Colonels and Navy Captains) will have autonomy to buy and authorize the use of these drones, accelerating the response in combat. The measure aims to correct US historical slowness in the adoption of this technology, while conflicts such as war in Ukraine show its decisive impact.
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The new strategy prioritizes cheap, disposable and American -made drones, focusing on groups 1 and 2 models (up to 25 kg and 460 km/h). They will be integrated into realistic training, including “drone wars” simulations. In addition, military bases will gain tests dedicated to tests, and by 2026 all squads should be equipped with these devices, especially in Indo-Pacific, a strategic region against China.
The plan also encourages quick innovation, allowing troops to use 3D printers to make drones in the field.
Despite the advancement, challenges persist: current US production is insignificant near 200,000 monthly drones made by Ukraine, and the dependence on Chinese pieces worries. The Pentagon, however, bets that the change of mindset, added to the decentralization of decisions, will be a “watershed”. As a general marine general highlighted: “A soldier with a drone can be as lethal at 20 km as it was with a grenade at 30 meters“.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: x @usarmy | This content was created with the help of AI and revised by the editorial team
