The Defense Department has decided to scrap an Army unit set up in Europe last year to learn the emerging lessons of drone warfare. The Unmanned Assault Battalion will return to its previous role as a standard airborne infantry unit after it finishes a training exercise in September, CBS News reports. The intent was to study Ukraine's efforts and develop new military systems and tactics that could counter Russia. Several military experts expressed opposition to the decision, per the Wall Street Journal.
The battalion was a project started by Gen. Randy George, the chief of staff removed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in April. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who's in the job on an acting basis, is advocating a back-to-basics approach, stressing core soldiering skills while folding in capabilities such as drone defense, rather than a standalone drone assault force. At the same time, figures including retired Gen. David Petraeus are calling for a far more sweeping shift toward unmanned systems, and separate Army efforts continue to study Ukraine's use of drones and recommend how the US military should adapt.
And the Iran war has shown the need for the US to learn about drone warfare from Ukraine, the AP points out. Iran has successfully deployed its low-cost Shahed drones against ships and bases, killing American troops, downing an Army helicopter, and forcing the US military to expend precious supplies of advanced interceptors.
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