Soldiers from the New York National Guard are currently testing small drones that the Army hopes to deploy widely in the future. These drones, known as the Black Hornet 3, are compact and lightweight, allowing a single soldier to carry the drone, controller, and batteries needed to operate it as part of their standard combat load. Once in the air, the drone can transmit live video and high-definition still images of the surrounding area.
While some active duty units and Special Forces teams have been using these drones since 2019, the Army aims to equip all 7,000 of its squads with these devices. The drones are intended to provide valuable situational awareness to soldiers, allowing them to monitor areas of interest that may be challenging to access due to various factors like terrain or enemy presence. This technology can help reduce the risk of soldiers being engaged by the enemy by providing valuable information from a safe distance.
Despite some limitations such as short battery life and susceptibility to windy conditions, soldiers who have trained with these drones are optimistic about their potential. They see the drones as a valuable tool for targeting rounds accurately, especially with mortars, and for coordinating precision strikes with aircraft.
The use of these pocket-sized drones represents a significant advancement in military technology, allowing for enhanced reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities at the squad level. As the Army continues to test and refine these devices, they could become a standard tool for soldiers across various units and missions.
The feedback from soldiers involved in the testing of these drones highlights the potential benefits of integrating this technology into military operations. With the ability to gather real-time intelligence and imagery from a safe distance, soldiers can make more informed decisions and execute missions with greater precision and efficiency.
Overall, the deployment of pocket-sized drones like the Black Hornet 3 demonstrates the Army’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the capabilities of its personnel. As these drones become more widespread within military units, they have the potential to revolutionize the way soldiers conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition in various operational environments.