Hohenfels: A US drone buzzes over a Bavarian forest as soldiers apply lessons from Ukraine’s war, where drones dominate modern combat.
Both Moscow and Kyiv use them for attacks and surveillance, making concealment nearly impossible.
“It’s a transparent battlefield,” said Brigadier General Steve Carpenter. “Stop, and you die.”
The US military is adapting, shifting to smaller, more mobile units. During a recent exercise, the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, moved its headquarters four times in nine days, with fewer than 20 personnel per post — down from over 100 in past wars.
“Speed is key,” said Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, pushing for faster procurement. A new transport truck was tested just three months after GM modified a civilian model.
But scaling drone production is a challenge. Russia and Ukraine use cheap Chinese drones, an option the US wants to avoid. With America’s defense industry shrinking — losing 1.9 million jobs since 1985 — Colonel Dave Butler sees only one solution: Elon Musk.
“If we needed 10,000 drones a month, only Elon could do it,” he said, citing Tesla’s in-house manufacturing. – AFP
