The RAND Corporation has released a report identifying both the challenges and opportunities presented by small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the U.S. Army, emphasizing the need for significant changes in operational approaches to harness these technologies effectively.
The report notes that UAS are fundamentally altering modern warfare, with Ukrainian and Russian forces continuously innovating their use in both offensive and defensive operations.
“This is a dynamic field in which innovation occurs quickly, both within the military and in the private sector,” the report states, highlighting the increasing complexity of integrating cutting-edge UAS into military operations.
To maintain a competitive edge on future battlefields, the Army must develop operational and institutional agility, the report argues. It stresses the importance of gathering lessons learned from ongoing operations and training, especially in Ukraine, and calls for aggressive innovation based on these insights.
Released on April 8, the report synthesizes information from a series of interviews with experts in both the Army and private sectors, as well as an analysis of existing literature on UAS deployment in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
One significant concern outlined in the report is that institutional and real-world obstacles are hindering the Army’s ability to conduct extensive training with UAS. These challenges include issues related to spectrum allocation due to civilian usage needs, airspace management concerns, and restrictive acquisition and accountability policies.
Interviews conducted by RAND reveal a prevalent trend among Army units: they often refrain from using their small UAS aggressively in training scenarios due to fears of financial liability for potential losses.
To counter this, the report suggests that changes must be made to the Army’s Financial Liability Investigations of Property Loss program. Recognizing the training benefits that outweigh potential losses will play a critical role in encouraging more widespread utilization of UAS in training.
The report also points out that the current training pipeline for UAS operators is inadequate. It lacks sufficient throughput for basic qualifications and fails to prepare expert operators effectively, which could lead to overwhelming the system as the Army aims to field more UAS in the future.
Few units have advanced training beyond basic operator-level proficiency, and there is a significant lack of planning for the integration of UAS into combined arms operations. Additionally, existing unit SUAS training plans present limited flexibility for rapid adoption and adjustment.
The report emphasizes that counter-UAS training must be integrated across various levels of collective training, which includes developing opposing force UAS assets.
The RAND report advocates that the Army can mitigate many training obstacles if it commits to urgent reforms led by the Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA).
On a related note, the Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit recently launched Project G.I., aimed at developing immediate solutions to battlefield needs.
“Today, warfighters lack the unmanned systems needed to train for combat and prevail if called upon to use them,” said Doug Beck, the DIU director. “DIU is laser focused on getting best-of-breed technology in the hands of the warfighter today and scaling it for training, adoption, and readiness.”
Both Army and Army National Guard units continue their training on UAS for purposes related to both warfighting and disaster response.
In February, Army Soldiers took part in a SUAS fundamentals course conducted by the Washington Army Guard at the Yakima Training Center, in collaboration with the 898th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
In addition, Iowa Army Guard Soldiers received training in April at Camp Dodge Training Center, where they practiced real-time reconnaissance and target identification using a system equipped with thermal imaging and low-light sensors.
While the RAND report provides valuable insights, it also acknowledges the inherent limitations of its analysis, particularly given the rapidly evolving dynamics of warfighting.
The authors indicate a critical area of focus lies in understanding the balance between what is needed in the field versus what is technically possible, concluding that ongoing evaluation is essential as UAS technology develops.
image source from：https://www.ngaus.org/newsroom/report-army-behind-curve-drones
