In a move to enhance its capabilities in unmanned aerial systems, the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence (AVCOE) has unveiled the Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course at Fort Rucker. This initiative aligns with the Pentagon’s recently announced “Unleashing US Military Drone Dominance” program, aimed at expanding the operational effectiveness of small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
The course is structured over three weeks and includes 28 students representing various branches of the army’s ground forces and aviation. It aims to standardize training for soldiers in using UAS for reconnaissance, fire support, and maneuver operations. The selected participants are expected to gain critical knowledge that will enable them to cultivate sustainable UAS training programs within their units.
Maj. Wolf Amacker, the UAS and Tactics Branch Chief at AVCOE’s Directorate of Training and Doctrine, emphasized the importance of swiftly training personnel on first-person-view (FPV) drone systems that have proven effective on the battlefield. Capt. Rachel Martin, the course director, described the training as part of a larger strategy to close the existing gap in drone technology and operations compared to other military forces.
The course is delivered in two formats – an in-person advanced program at Fort Rucker, which focuses on munitions, diverse drone types, and tactical applications, and a future mobile training package for basic FPV drone skills. The in-person training begins with classroom instruction, utilizing commercially available drones and simulation software to develop essential flight skills. This phase encompasses 20 to 25 hours before students transition to practical live flight exercises at a Military Operations on Urban Terrain site.
In addition to flight training, participants will learn to adjust fire support in real time using drone video feeds, as well as how to manufacture and repair drone components through 3D printing technology. This comprehensive approach not only equips soldiers with operational skills but also integrates innovation in UAS development.
Further collaboration is underway, with personnel from the Maneuver and Fires Centers of Excellence exploring how the course can be tailored to meet their training needs. This initiative aims to assist operational units in developing their own UAS training programs, addressing the diverse roles that small UAS can play in support of mission objectives. Amacker highlighted the distinct interests of different units, noting that while some focus on engagement capabilities, others are concerned with sustainment and military intelligence responsibilities involving small UAS.
Overall, the launch of the Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course marks a significant step forward in preparing soldiers to effectively leverage drone technology in various operational contexts, thereby enhancing the army’s overall effectiveness in contemporary warfare.
