“Envision a swarm of these autonomous vessels going out to various island chains … not having to beach because we’re gonna have the UAVs come in, meet somewhere over the water, grab portions, and take that AOR’s portion … of ammo, food, blood,” said Rob Watts, the deputy director of the Army’s contested logistics cross-functional team.
By Ashley RoqueWith experienced pilots and ground crew leaving the service in droves, the Army is struggling to balance equipment modernization and unit training for large-scale, drone-driven war.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Assistant Secretary Doug Bush defended the controversial Middle-Tier Acquisition process and said he wanted to use the streamlined Software Pathway more, arguing speed is life on constantly evolving battlefields.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Congress must stop shortchanging the Army budget, especially modernization, so it can play its proper role in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide, writes the former chief of US Army Pacific.
By Robert BrownHalf of the companies invited to participate in a counter-drone demonstration this September ended up skipping it due to COVID-19.
By Valerie Insinna“She brings a wealth of experience in national security [that] will help her in the inevitable Pentagon brawls for funding,” retired Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr told me.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.“In my career, certainly this is the most amount of modernization I’ve seen,” Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson says. Can multiple Army programs make their 2023 deadline?
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.When high-tech enemies hack and jam communications, “small units need to be able to operate on their own,” the Army Chief of Staff said. “If they are not masters of their craft, they are not going to be able to do that.”
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Holding events virtually saves venue, transportation, and lodging costs, AUSA’s Guy Swan says, but setting up and checking all the digital links takes way more work from staff. They’re hoping to do part of their October Annual Meeting in person in DC.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Artificial intelligence can’t prepare an in-depth assessment of de-escalation options or build relationships with foreign allies who have sources Americans don’t, said the Army’s deputy chief of staff for intel.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.After decades fighting guerrillas and terrorists, France is refocusing on Russia and China with increased budgets, intensified training, stronger divisions, and new armored vehicles — much like the US. But the French approach is still very different.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Leonardo DRS is supporting the Army with ultra-low SWaP systems that operate at multiple security levels for all-domain applications.
By Breaking DefenseBringing together an estimated 33,000 soldiers and civilians from around the world was just too dangerous in the coronavirus era.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The benefit of diverse and effective long-range precision fires was reinforced by then-U.S. Pacific Command Commander Navy Adm. Harry Harris, who challenged the Army to develop more lethal, long-range precision fires that could not only engage adversary land targets, but also sink ships at sea.
By Robert Brown