Payload reports that the U.S. Army has begun fielding its first permanent group of enlisted space warfighters, noting that the soldiers are “now reporting for duty.” More than 600 soldiers transitioned on 1 October into the newly created 40D Tactical Space Operations Specialist military occupational specialty. The move establishes a dedicated enlisted workforce focused on supporting the Army’s growing tactical space operations.
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Tag: US Army
U.S. Army Looks to Depots to Accelerate Drone Production
Aviation Week reports that the U.S. Army is opening its depots to drone-part production as the Pentagon looks for ways to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity, driven in part by lessons from Ukraine’s war. The outlet notes that “the number of drones Ukraine is projected to produce this year rises by a few million,” with the country expected to manufacture as many as 9 million to 10 million drones in 2026 after producing about 4 million small uncrewed aircraft last year. The dramatic increase highlights the scale of production the U.S. military is seeking to approach as it works to meet growing demand for inexpensive, rapidly produced uncrewed systems.
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U.S. Army Chooses New Basic Training Helicoptor
Aerospace Global News reports the US Army will use Robinson R66 helicopters to train up to 1,500 pilots annually under a new contractor-operated model.
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Elroy Air Demonstrates Autonomous VTOL Cargo Delivery for U.S. Army
Aviation News Daily reports, “Elroy Air has successfully demonstrated three new unattended delivery modes for its Chaparral autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft during flight testing for the U.S. Army. The milestone shows how heavy-cargo drones can supply troops in contested environments without requiring landing infrastructure or ground personnel.”
Full Story (Aviation News Daily)
Army Unveils ‘Amazon-Like’ Hub for Rapid Drone Procurement
Defense Daily reports, “The Army on Tuesday launched its new ‘Amazon-like’ UAS Marketplace, which a lead official said will be the service’s primary method moving forward for procuring Group 1-3 drones.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)
US Army Plans to Buy One Million Drones Over Next Two to Three Years
Breaking Defense reports, “The Army is planning a massive overhaul on how it acquires unmanned aerial systems, setting the ambitious goal of buying one million drones over the next two to three years, an Army spokesperson confirmed to Breaking Defense. Reuters first reported on the drone buy, which could lead to the Army buying half a million to millions of drones annually after the initial acquisition. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told the outlet in an interview: “It is a big lift. But it is a lift we’re very capable of doing.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
US Army Apache Helicopters Show Counter-UAS Capabilities
Aerotime reports the US Army demonstrated the AH-64E Apache’s ability to detect, track, and defeat drone threats, underscoring its value as a mobile counter-UAS platform. “The tests, conducted with the South Carolina Army National Guard, involved the Army’s Program Manager Apache, Program Manager Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions, and the team responsible for the helicopter’s 30mm proximity-fused ammunition.”
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Hegseth Orders Military to Increase Use of Small Drones in New Memo
Breaking Defense reports, “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is directing every US Army squad to be armed with small, one-way attack drones by the end of fiscal 2026, while also enabling troops to modify small drones as necessary in the field.”
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U.S. Army Launches ‘Major Overhaul’ of its Flight School Following Deadly Crashes
Defense News reports, “In the wake of a string of deadly military aviation accidents over the past several years, the U.S. Army is launching a major overhaul of how it trains new pilots that focuses on getting back to the basics. The overhaul includes rethinking the type of aircraft used for training, along with a likely shift to a contractor-owned-and-operated schoolhouse.”
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U.S. Army to Substantially Increase Its Use of Drones
The Wall Street Journal reports, “The U.S. Army is embarking on its largest overhaul since the end of the Cold War, with plans to equip each of its combat divisions with around 1,000 drones and to shed outmoded weapons and other equipment. The plan, the product of more than a year of experimentation at this huge training range in Bavaria and other U.S. bases, draws heavily on lessons from the war in Ukraine, where small unmanned aircraft used in large numbers have transformed the battlefield.”
Full Story (Wall Street Journal – Subscription Publication)