U.S. Army tests First Person View drones in Germany as part of transformation initiative
In the damp forests of Germany, the sound of whirring blades marked a new phase of the U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) training, as Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division trialled First Person View (FPV) drones. The exercise forms part of the Army’s experimentation with low-cost, portable systems to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) on the battlefield.
The drones being tested are one-way, single-munition systems designed to strike moving or stationary targets. Lightweight and inexpensive, they can be deployed by individual Soldiers without the need for larger and more costly weapon systems.
This training supports the Army’s aim to mass-produce FPV and Purpose Built Attritable Systems (PBAS) for use across the force. PBAS drones can carry both lethal and non-lethal payloads and are capable of engaging mounted or dismounted enemy units, with one full system costing about $35,000 and individual drones around $5,000.
“This type of training allows us to test and modify our drones as well as practice our drone tactics,” said Sgt. Elena Killough, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. “I really enjoy this type of training, and being able to fly FPV drones is very rewarding, especially when you hit the target!”