The U.S. Army has initiated an ambitious plan to integrate autonomous platforms across all its divisions by 2026. During a demonstration held in mid-August at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, the Army tested this plan by providing the first batch of multipurpose drone systems to soldiers for a trial run. This event is part of a project termed Launched Effects, which encompasses a new class of autonomous systems designed to carry out various functions, including targeting, surveillance, and kinetic strikes.
The Launched Effects systems are intended to scout high-value targets in challenging terrain, where traditional visibility may be limited. The Army plans to roll out short, medium, and long-range systems over the coming years. A crucial element of this strategy involves gathering continuous feedback from soldiers to ensure these systems meet operational requirements. This approach marks a significant shift from traditional acquisition programs, which often take years to develop before soldiers can engage with them.
In late April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed Army leadership to ensure that each division is equipped with launched effects by the end of 2024. Following this directive, the Army introduced the Army Transformation Initiative, emphasizing the need for more autonomous systems. In June, Hegseth issued further directives aimed at streamlining the acquisition of unmanned systems, with the goal of achieving “drone dominance” by 2027.
During the three-week demonstration at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, soldier feedback was a primary focus. In March, the Army selected three off-the-shelf short-range systems to serve as a baseline for the initiative: RTX’s Coyote Block 3, Anduril’s Altius 600, and AEVEX Aerospace’s Atlas. Each system was distributed among three units for hands-on training, with a focus on user-friendliness and mission relevance.
Brig. Gen. Cain Baker, director of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team, noted that this demonstration represented the first time soldiers received training on Launched Effects systems directly. He emphasized the importance of soldier feedback in shaping industry responses regarding the capabilities of the systems.
During the initial week, soldiers conducted equipment training on their assigned systems, learning how to set them up and integrate them into mission planning. The subsequent weeks involved live operations, where soldiers not only flew their systems but also applied them to tactical scenarios.
Feedback from participants indicated a positive reception of the systems. Col. Danielle Medaglia, the Army’s program manager for uncrewed aircraft systems, acknowledged that the demonstration provided critical data that will influence future training and operational concepts. She remarked, “Each of those units did not interact with each other and you saw them fight it in their specific way, with their experience and their type of expertise.”
Soldiers like Spc. Jacob Richter, who operated AEVEX’s Atlas, expressed satisfaction with the training process and the user-friendly nature of the equipment. Richter noted that the transition from classroom training to live flight was seamless, emphasizing that the simulator closely mirrored real flight conditions.
The operational capabilities of the Launched Effects systems offer significant advantages, enabling units to scout targets and gather intelligence autonomously. This allows for enhanced security and fewer risks associated with sending human operators into potentially dangerous environments. 1st Lt. Zach Glenn highlighted the potential for using scout drones to assess restricted areas, stating, “We can use the scout drone to know what’s ahead of us.”
The Army intends to leave some systems with units at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for ongoing training and capability enhancement. As part of its long-term strategy, the Army has approved an acquisition plan that employs an urgent capability acquisition pathway, allowing for rapid updates and flexibility in requirements. This approach is designed to expedite the integration of advanced technology into military operations.
Maj. Chris Dudley, assistant product manager for Launched Effects, described this strategy as a reversal of traditional acquisition methods. “We’re sort of inverting the process and trying to get it into the soldiers’ hands first, and then we’ll iterate and develop on the findings that we have,” he explained.
As the Army progresses towards fielding the baseline short-range Launched Effects systems, it is also exploring medium and long-range capabilities using a similar acquisition strategy. The recent demonstration is expected to inform the Army’s future procurement and training processes for these platforms.
Overall, the Army’s approach to integrating these autonomous systems reflects a commitment to enhancing operational effectiveness and ensuring that soldiers are adequately prepared to leverage new technologies in the field. The ongoing feedback loop between soldiers and program managers is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of military operations.