When US Army soldiers in Hawaii were given new drones to test out, some of the technology didn’t last long in the island’s heat, humidity, and salty ocean air.
Technology performs differently in different environments, be it desert proving grounds, Arctic Army installations and ranges, or wet, hot training areas in the Pacific. Getting drones to perform the way the Army wants has been a challenge in recent years in the Indo-Pacific, but it’s a problem the service can’t ignore as it prepares for the possibility of conflict with China.
At the Army’s annual gathering in Washington, DC, this week, Command Sgt. Maj. Shaun Curry of the 25th Infantry Division said that some drone models tested elsewhere struggled soon after arriving in Hawaii.
“When that equipment came to Hawaii, it was 100 degrees outside,” with a lot of salt water in the air, Curry said. “Those drones did not last in those heat environments.”
The drones were sent out to the 25th as part of the Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, a program aiming to streamline the process of soldier-driven testing, integration, and improvement of new weapons. Feedback from that work is implemented into operational planning and tactics.
Curry said that when the drones ran into problems, the developers were on the ground to fix them. “If it didn’t work right then and there, they would work on them,” he said. “Then they gave you a new, upgraded version.”
Army personnel have run into similar situations while operating drones across the Indo-Pacific. In some exercises, they’ve faced monsoon rainstorms, high winds, and humid weather that decrease the amount of time and distance a drone can fly. Island locations limit where the drones can take off from. Adapting to this particular operating environment has been a learning curve.
Having drone company technicians in the field with soldiers to troubleshoot problems has been an important part of how troops are testing these new weapons. Developers are working closely with personnel during exercises and testing, making themselves available for in-the-moment fixes.
Troops across formations and locations are also sharing lessons with one another as they figure out what works and what doesn’t. Cooperation with industry and shared lessons are key as the Army looks to catch up and close critical gaps in small drone capabilities to employ them with skill to maximize their effect in combat.
The Ukraine war has shown just how impactful these systems can be, and the Army and other services are paying attention.
In the case of the Indo-Pacific, where the US military is banking on uncrewed vehicles and systems being a major element of deterring or fighting a potential future conflict, having data on how to adapt drones to specific environmental factors could be crucial. US Army leaders have also credited consistent training in the Indo-Pacific, especially with partners and allies like the Philippines, as critical for learning and readying for such a fight.
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