In this photo captured by Master Sgt. Warren W. Wright Jr. of the 42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs, Army Staff Sgt. Andy Huang, a member of the New York National Guard, can be seen inspecting a drone.
The Army is hopeful that pocket-sized drones will become a common tool among its forces. Currently, soldiers from the New York National Guard are testing these drones.
According to a report from Task & Purpose, the Black Hornet 3 drone, a mini unmanned aircraft that only requires minimal equipment to operate and can fly for approximately 24 minutes, was used by the New York National Guard soldiers during their training. This marks the first time that this type of unit has trained with this innovative technology.
Soldiers can now easily carry tiny drones as part of their standard combat load. These drones, already in use with units like the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, are lightweight and compact, requiring only one soldier to operate them along with the necessary batteries and controller. Once airborne, the drones can transmit real-time video and HD still images of the surrounding area.
According to a report, the Army began implementing the use of drones in 2019, with some active duty units already utilizing them. Additionally, Special Forces teams in Afghanistan had access to these devices a few years prior. The Army aims to equip all 7,000 of its squads with these small drones in the near future.
Lt. Col. Gary Barney, commander of the 27th IBCT’s 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, explained to Task & Purpose that this system is designed to enable a team to monitor a specific area of interest or terrain that would otherwise be difficult to access due to various factors such as terrain, time, or enemy presence. By utilizing drones, the team can maintain a safe distance and limit the chances of direct or indirect contact with the enemy, ensuring the safety of our personnel.
A lawmaker has recently raised concerns over the potential threat posed by rifle-wielding robot dogs, highlighting the focus on Chinese military Artificial Intelligence (AI). This has sparked a discussion around the development of AI in China’s military sector. The issue of AI and its use in the military has become an increasingly important topic, with experts warning of the potential dangers of autonomous weapons. The focus on China’s military AI comes as the country continues its push towards technological dominance, with AI being a key part of their strategy.
Staff Sgt. Andy Huang of the New York Army National Guard pointed out the compact and featherweight design of the drones utilized during the training. He also noted that due to their elevated altitude, the drones were barely audible.
Huang explained that by using reconnaissance techniques, one can gather a lot of information without being detected by the adversaries.
Soldiers remain optimistic about the future capabilities that widespread use of drones would afford them despite the few shortcomings that come with it, such as short battery life and limited ability to maneuver in windy conditions.
Spc. Jeffrey Anicet, a joint fire support specialist with 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery Regiment, stated that using UAVs for targeting rounds has made their job more efficient. He explained that with the help of UAVs, they are able to target rounds with precision to the tenth of a meter. This is especially helpful when working with aircraft on guided ordnance, as they can drop the ordinance exactly where they want it to go.
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