Author: Seth Frantzman
In Jordan for Eager Lion: Testing drones and counter-UAS
In Jordan in 2019 US forces learned and showcased abilities with drones and counter-drones. In one photo a Marine shows how to use a Parrot Disco drone at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center. "Soldiers were taught to recognize drone maneuvers in response to increased use by adversaries." A Phantom 4 was also used. …
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MQ-9 Reapers being used from Kuwait in 2019
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Images of the 286 Air Expeditionary Wing at Ali Al Salem Air Base using their Reapers were published in July 2019. The US DVIDS caption notes "MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle awaits an engine test before Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 23, …
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“For the first time” a UAV at
June 13, 2019 - For the first time in history a UAV was used at Fort Leonard Wood airspace for a combat arms live fire exercise. The AAI RQ-7 Shadow was flown, and photos show it being put on its rail to be launched and other details. "multiple agencies working to bring the idea to …
Is this the future of drone swarms
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The US and other countries have been experimenting with drone swarms. One fascinating photo comes out of the "11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Threat Systems Management Office push a swarm of 40 drones through the town during the battle of Razish, National Training Center on May 8th, 2019. This exercise …
Paratroopers need drones, here they are training in 2018
In August 2018 paratroopers trained to use a drone in Alaska. Those from the 725th Brigade Support Battalion checked a Raven UAV at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. "The Paratroopers flew the Ravens to maintain their proficiency with the system and to enhance their ability to support units in real-world scenarios."
2017: The first soldier to destroy a drone with a laser
The US says that 2017 was the first time a soldier destroyed a UAV with a laser. It happened at Fort Sill on May 18, 2017 on a pleasant spring day. A story about the incident says that the drone came over the horizon and soldiers downed it with a laser. "Sounds like something from …
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RQ-7 Shadows in Alaska in 2018
The RQ-7 Shadow UAV was deployed to Alaska in 2018. It was assigned to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems platoon of D Company of the 6th Brigade Engineer Bataltion of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the 25th Infantry Division. It was hen used at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Alaska. Photos a the time show …
Using drones to inspect damage in South Korea
In 2018 US soldiers used a drone to do a damage assessment, one of the many things drones can do. They used the Aeryon SkyRanger drone for the "first-ever operational rapid airfield damage assessment at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea , Aug. 13, 2018. This innovative survey method gives both the engineers and base …
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Drone Wars: The book 