Senators say scrapping specialized Army drone unit ignored the fact that ‘the character of warfare is changing’

A group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Army to explain its decision to disband a specialized drone unit stationed in Europe, amid a rapidly changing battlefield landscape. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, comprising 600 soldiers, had been perfecting drone warfare techniques similar to those employed by Ukraine against Russia and Iran.

The lawmakers raised concerns that scrapping this unit would impede collaboration with allies, impede modernization efforts, and jeopardize the Army's ability to keep pace with the evolving battlefield. They demanded a briefing from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the acting chief of staff, to understand the reasoning behind the decision and the data, analysis, and process that led to it.

LaNeve recently ordered the battalion to refocus on its primary mission of being an airborne infantry unit, a directive that followed Pentagon leadership changes, including the ousting of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. Driscoll, an ally of George, submitted his resignation amid a tumultuous leadership transition. The lawmakers expressed their support for the Army's transformative initiatives in this area and hoped to preserve its momentum despite the shift in uniformed leadership.