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B.E. Meyers & Co Awarded Contract to Deliver MAWL-X1 and DAGIR-V1 Systems in Support of US Army Night Lethality

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026

February 3rd, 2026 (Redmond, WA) – B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc. is honored to have been awarded multiple contracts to support US Army Night Operations Lethality upgrades, both in FY2025 and for FY2026.  B.E. Meyers & Co. was selected to deliver MAWL-X1 systems via PM Lethality to multiple US Army units in FY2025, completing delivery of 1,000+ systems in 2025.  Recently, the US Army placed orders for another 1,000+ MAWL-X1 and DAGIR-V1 systems scheduled for delivery in 2026 as part of the Tailored Logistics Services (TLS) program.

The MAWL®-X1 is a high-power infrared and visible green aiming and illumination laser designed specifically for individual carbines, catering to the needs of modern night fighters. It features cutting-edge VCSEL technology for unparalleled beam quality, eliminating issues of inconsistent illumination. With multiple modes of divergence and power tailored for close, mid, and long-range operations, the MAWL®-X1 ensures optimal performance in any environment. Additionally, its modular design allows for ambidextrous configuration to suit any operator’s need.

The MAWL®-X1 laser device is a modular aiming and illumination tool that provides enhanced Near Infrared (NIR) illumination quality, streamlines the user interface, and improves weapon handling ergonomics. Its compact design offers a superior form-fit-feel compared to traditional systems. With a low-profile activation button just 0.37 inches above the top rail, the device positions most of its bulk off-axis from the operator’s grip, enhancing maneuverability. The MAWL®-X1 is well-suited for combat applications across various environments, ranging from close-quarters battle (CQB) to engagements exceeding 1000 meters.

B.E. Meyers & Co.(R) VCSEL diode technology delivers unmatched near-infrared (NIR) performance, providing users with superior visibility in low-light conditions. This advanced technology enhances beam clarity, essential for improving situational awareness. By producing sharper, more defined illumination, users can better identify their surroundings, assess potential threats and make informed decisions in various environments. The combination of exceptional performance and enhanced clarity makes the VCSEL diode technology a crucial asset for applications where precision and awareness are critical.

The DAGIR®-V1 represents a significant advancement in weapon-mountable aiming technology, seamlessly combining a Near-Infrared (NIR) illuminator with both NIR and visible aiming capabilities. The DAGIR®-V1 is the culmination of advanced optical engineering, delivering unmatched flexibility while also excelling in illumination quality, ergonomics, and form factor. Setting a new gold standard in multi-function aiming laser technology, it has earned the trust of USSOCOM — selected under the SAL-UHP program, where a dedicated variant bears the LA-30 designation with pride.

At the core of the DAGIR®-V1 is the groundbreaking MINIRVA™ diode system, harnessing advanced VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) technology to deliver unmatched beam precision and clarity. This best-in-class optical engine produces sharper, more defined illumination, enabling superior target identification, environmental awareness, and threat assessment—even in the most demanding operational environments.

The DAGIR®-V1 is a versatile, weapon-mounted NIR/Visible pointer and NIR illuminator engineered for elite operational demands. Its powerful overbore 40 mW IR pointer and dual 350 mW VCSEL IR illuminators deliver uncompromising performance — even through oppressive photonic barriers and high-ambient-light environments. Controlled via a best-in-class human-machine interface, operators can intuitively adjust beam divergence and output without dismounting the weapon. All optical and electronic components are environmentally sealed within a compact, rugged aluminum housing, built to thrive in the harshest conditions and the most demanding missions.

Who We Are:

B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc. is a Defense Technology Manufacturer located in Redmond, Washington. As a privately held, Veteran-operated, second-generation US Small Business in our 52nd year, we are a global leader in tactical laser systems for combat applications, as well as optoelectronic systems for rotary wing aircraft, fixed wing platforms, and UAVs, along with other integrated systems. We are a true “Made in America” operation, with design, development, production, and final assembly occurring in our Redmond, Washington headquarters.  We are proud of our work and who we serve as we evolve critical defense technology and reenergize American Manufacturing.

Who We Support:

Our customers include all branches of US Department of War, US Federal and State Law Enforcement agencies, select US consumer channel partners, international allies in over 50+ countries, as well as defense primes both in the US and internationally.  Our key product brands in these spaces include IZLID®, GLARE®, MAWL®, DAGIR®, BOARS®, MILR®, KIJI®, and others.

Made in America:

B.E. Meyers & Co. operates in multiple market segments; however we are a defense-centric original equipment manufacturer at our core. Our business and our products are:

§     US based

§     US owned

§     Certified SBA Small Business

§     ITAR compliant

§     ISO 9001:2015

§     Made in America

§     Buy American Act compliant

§     Berry Amendment compliant

Strategic Sourcing:

With respect to strategic sourcing amid the U.S.-China trade war, B.E. Meyers & Co. is dedicated to an, “Anywhere But China” supply chain policy wherever possible, and especially for key components.

We continually promote efforts to diversify our supply chain, and we also invest in ensuring critical components are stocked to avoid disruptions.

Product Lines:

The US Army has chosen our MAWL® and DAGIR®series of lasers to support their current operational needs in the past, and relies on us to deliver critical systems enhancing US Night Operations Lethality for the future. The MAWL® series has been in production since 2016, with over 30,000 systems produced and fielded worldwide.  MAWL® sales include the US Army, US Air Force, multiple foreign defense elements, US Secret Service, US Diplomatic Security Services, and US Department of Homeland Security, amongst others.  Please see Chuck Pressburg of Presscheck Consulting’s overview of the MAWL-X1 here.

The DAGIR® series has been in production since 2025 and supports the USSOCOM Squad Aiming Laser – Ultra High Power (SAL-UHP) program of record, as well as the USSOCOM (Miniature Aiming Laser – Ultra High Power) contract, with over 8,000 systems on order and with production deliveries happening now.  Please see Chuck Pressburg of Presscheck Consulting’s overview of the DAGIR® series here.

For sales information on the MAWL®, DAGIR®, and other innovative laser solutions from B.E. Meyers & Co., please visit bemeyers.com or connect with us at info@bemeyers.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Contracts, Lasers, Press Release | Comments Off on B.E. Meyers & Co Awarded Contract to Deliver MAWL-X1 and DAGIR-V1 Systems in Support of US Army Night Lethality

Beneath Norway’s Mountains

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026

NORWAY —

The ability to rapidly mobilize forces has shaped the outcomes of conflicts since the very beginning. During the opening stages of World War I, Germany’s war plans assumed that Russia would require months to mobilize its military. Instead, Russia mobilized faster than expected, forcing Germany to divert troops, weakening its advance against France and ultimately resulting in them fighting a war on multiple fronts.

More than a century later, that lesson remains relevant. In today’s security environment, the difference between days and weeks can determine whether forces deter conflict or respond to crisis.

Hidden within Norway’s mountains lie one of the United States’ most enduring yet least-known military partnerships; one that cuts more than a month from deployment timelines while also saving millions of dollars in transportation costs. For nearly four decades the Marine Corps has maintained prepositioned equipment in climate-controlled facilities across Norway. This equipment, part of the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway (MCPP-N), ensures U.S. forces can mobilize quickly, fall-in on gear, and begin operating immediately in the High North.

“The Marine Corps Prepositioning Program–Norway has been a solid bilateral cooperation between the United States and Norway for decades. Joint management of this program takes part from the sub-tactical level all the way up to Pentagon level. It’s a collaborative effort to ensure the best possible support to the warfighters.” Norway Lt. Col. Morten Aae, commanding officer of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade section of the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization (NDLO/MEB)

Originally established to support the defense of Norway, the MCPP-N has evolved into a strategically significant capability that supports NATO’s collective defense and U.S. European Command’s operational objectives for joint interoperability and rapid deployment. Norwegian and U.S. personnel jointly manage the prepositioned equipment, ensuring it meets NATO standards and can be seamlessly integrated during multinational operations and exercises in the Arctic such as the upcoming exercise Cold Response 26.

A key component of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a routine Norwegian-led winter military exercise in Northern Norway. U.S. forces are participating as part of U.S. government efforts to support Norwegian and NATO total defense concepts. The exercise is a significant milestone to demonstrate the readiness of a U.S.-based Marine Air Ground Task Force to swiftly composite and rapidly deploy across the Atlantic, be received by Norwegian forces, and conduct operations that enable larger NATO operations. Cold Response will bring together over 25,000 personnel from 12 nations, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States, and NATO to enhance interoperability and prepare for future challenges in the Arctic.

In preparation for exercise Cold Response 26, U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 27 and Combat Logistics Battalion 6, both part of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, are using the MCPP-N to draw vehicles, cold-weather gear and mission-essential equipment, allowing them to support U.S. forces’ transition from their arrival to the start of operations seamlessly.

Blount Island Command, the logistics hub for managing the lifecycle and maintenance of prepositioned equipment, worked with CLR-27 and CLB-6 to successfully issue over 14,000 items of equipment and supplies from within the MCPP-N.

“The MCPP-N directly supports our ability to deploy and fight in the Arctic,” said Buddy Cote, officer in charge of the technical assistance and advisory team. “By maintaining equipment forward, we reduce reaction time and ensure Marines can integrate quickly with NATO Allies and partners when it matters most.”

The MCPP-N builds the foundation for NATO Allies and partners to move fast and move together. Every vehicle maintained, every piece of cold-weather gear inspected, and every supply pallet accounted for represents joint readiness built in advance of crisis. When Marines arrive in Norway, they are not starting from scratch, they are stepping into a system designed over decades to ensure rapid response and integration. This capability is the conclusive factor in enabling successful joint training between U.S. and Norwegian forces in the Arctic.

“We have successfully equipped the U.S. Marine Corps component participating in exercise Cold Response 26 in a joint operation,” said Aae, emphasizing the close coordination between Norwegians and their U.S. counterparts in accountability and readiness. “We are now planning for an equally successful joint regeneration following the exercise.”

As exercise Cold Response 26 continues, Marines and Sailors operating in Norway are not only training for Arctic conditions, but validating the MCPP-N, a system built and refined over decades.

By 1st Lt. Jorin Hollenbeak | 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Posted in Guest Post, Logistics, USMC | No Comments »

Isembard Raises $50m Series A to Open 25 AI-Powered Factories Serving Aerospace and Defense

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026
  • Company manufactures components for aerospace, defense and robotics in factories powered by MasonOS, its proprietary agentic AI platform
  • Round led by Union Square Ventures
  • Supports 2026 growth from 6 to 25 factories in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Ukraine

Dallas and London | March 9th, 2026 — Isembard today announces that it has raised $50 million in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round. The capital will accelerate the company’s plan to open 25 factories by the end of 2026, expand its engineering teams while launching into Germany, France and Ukraine.

The round was led by Union Square Ventures, an early backer of Twitter, Coinbase, Etsy, Abridge and Twilio. New investors Tamarack Global and IQ Capital joined the round alongside existing investors Notion Capital and CIV. Angel investors include Alex Bouaziz (Founder and CEO of Deel), Andrei Danescu (Founder and CEO of Dexory Robotics) and Matt Briers (former CFO of Wise).

Component manufacturing is a market worth $1.8 trillion a year. Yet small businesses account for 95% of production and they are rapidly disappearing. The average owner is over 65 years old and 40% plan to retire within five years. This erosion of industrial capacity is colliding with surging demand from aerospace, defense, energy and robotics companies given re-shoring and spending increases on critical industries. Without decisive action, the widening gap between supply of factories and demand from customers risks hollowing out the industrial base of Europe and North America.

Isembard manufactures high-precision components for many of the world’s most demanding customers. The company operates its own and franchisee factories, differentiated by its proprietary software and AI system, MasonOS, which runs them. MasonOS integrates quoting, scheduling, supply chain, manufacturing, quality control and delivery into a single intelligent agentic operating layer, automating and continuously optimizing factory performance.

The company identifies exceptional operators – from manufacturing, the military, franchising and the wider economy – and equips them with its technology, brand, engineering standards and access to customer demand. Franchisees can launch new Isembard factories from the ground up or convert existing businesses into an Isembard factory. This approach enables rapid expansion of high-quality manufacturing capacity while preserving local ownership and strengthening sovereign industrial capability across the United Kingdom, United States and Europe.

Alexander Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of Isembard, said: 

“Manufacturing is the origin of our security, prosperity and sense of purpose as nations. This Series A enables us to open more factories, invest in MasonOS, support exceptional franchisees and recruit the best engineers across Europe and the United States. Our mission is to forge industrial acceleration.”

Rebecca Kaden, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures, said:
“Isembard is redefining the process of owning and running a factory. By embedding deep operational expertise into an agentic OS, MasonOS lowers the barrier to operating high-performance manufacturing businesses and enables a networked, capital-efficient path to scale. At a moment when demand for advanced manufacturing is accelerating and interest in SMB ownership is rising, Isembard brings both forces together. We’re excited to partner with Alexander and his team as they expand access to factory ownership and rebuild industrial capacity across the West.”

Posted in AI / ML, Industry, International, Manufacturing, Press Release | No Comments »

Direct Action Presents the Core Assaulter Setup

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Mission first. Gear second to none.

Direct Action introduces the Core Assaulter Setup – a reference configuration designed for frontline operators without a dedicated specialist role, operating in full kit under changing operational tempo. This setup is not a universal solution or the only correct configuration. It’s a reference built to demonstrate system logic, capability, and versatility: load carriage, access, control, and speed.

The setup can be stripped down for low-profile operations, expanded for longer missions, or adapted to unit SOPs and team standards. One principle remains constant: the gear works for the operator, not the other way around.

Built for Operational Tempo

The Core Assaulter Setup is designed for operators in environments where contact is real and situations can evolve beyond the original plan. Typical operations include buildings, vehicles, and confined spaces – often at night and under time pressure.

Mission scope includes:

    Direct action (DA)
    CQB entries and exits
    Securing and searching
    Detentions
    Covering evacuations
    Rapid transitions between mobility and static positions

When operational tempo increases, three factors become critical: time, predictability, and repeatability of movement. The setup allows operators to move naturally within the mission rhythm, without unnecessary adjustments, gear interference, or chaos.

System-Based Configuration

The Core Assaulter Setup is built around the SPITFIRE MK II Plate Carrier with a Rapid Access Cummerbund and Spitfire Cutaway System. Key elements include:

    AR mag pouches
    SPITFIRE Assault Panel on the back
    Warhawk Modular Gun Belt MKII
    Rope Bag as an additional operational element

Each component follows a clear placement logic: gear remains organized, accessible one-handed under stress (even with gloves), and stable even under heavy load. The setup is fully compatible with the Direct Action modular system, letting operators adapt their configuration depending on mission profile and operational requirements.

Direct Action: Individual-as-a-system Approach

Direct Action treats the operator’s loadout as a system, not a collection of unrelated products. Plate carriers, belts, panels, pouches, and accessories form a modular ecosystem configurable by mission, role, and environment.

Direct Action gear is designed, tested, and manufactured in Poland, based on real operational experience. The result: gear that supports movement, maintains order under stress, and performs reliably under extreme operational load.

A Reference, Not a Limitation

The Core Assaulter Setup represents one of many possible configurations. The same system can be adapted to create:

  • Lighter, low-profile setups
  • Heavier configurations for extended missions and increased load carriage

The goal is to demonstrate configuration logic and flexibility: what goes where, why it’s there, and how quickly it can be accessed. The rest is up to the operator.

Learn More

Discover the full Core Assaulter Setup and explore the modular system:
directactiongear.com/en/core-assaulter-setup

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Load Carrying, Press Release | No Comments »

Dragon’s Lair Pitch Goes from Idea to Production

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A modular drone case conceived by two 82nd Airborne paratroopers is heading into production eight months after being a runner-up at the XVIII Airborne Corps’ Dragon’s Lair competition on June 25, 2025.

This rapid turnaround from idea to production demonstrates the success of Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll’s Transformation Initiative, which simultaneously increase warfighter lethality and accelerates the Army’s acquisition process.

Spc. Alexander Soto, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, noted the reoccurring problem of drones being broken during airborne drops and rigorous field exercises.

“We needed to be able to carry drones in our rucksacks for airborne operations,” said Soto. “The idea of a smaller rigid case that allowed us to pack it also made it possible to get them in the air as soon as we hit the drop zone.”

His solution was born out of necessity and pitched at Dragon’s Lair 11, an annual competition modeled after the TV show Shark Tank. Soldiers from across the corps presented their battlefield solutions to real-world challenges to a panel of judges for potential adoption.

Following the competition, Soto collaborated with Staff Sgt. Larry Dockins from the Airborne Innovation Lab. Together they developed a functional prototype in just three months. The result was a lightweight, rigid, and jumpable modular drone case compatible with multiple small unmanned aerial systems.

The accelerated path from concept to contract was made possible by another of the Corps’ innovation initiatives: the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost. The drone case project served as a successful pilot for the outpost’s new rapid-procurement model — testing the team’s ability to align the necessary resources for production.

The JIOP officially opened its doors in January 2026. Its primary mission is to bridge the gap between military needs and industry partners, fast-tracking the procurement process.

“By implementing the systems that the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost enables, we are able to bring these Soldiers’ ideas forward and implement them rapidly,” explained Col. Thomas R. Monaghan Jr., the JIOP’s director. “It also demonstrates the shift in prioritizing innovations that Soldiers want and view as viable solutions to problems.”

The significance of such Soldier-led innovation was not lost on leadership.

“Any solution that makes a warfighter more lethal is a winning solution for us,” Dockins said. “Ultimately, ounces make pounds, seconds make minutes. Creating a device that cuts weight could mean winning or losing on the battlefield.”

By SGT Prim Hibbard

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Elbit America Awarded U.S. Army Contract to Establish a New Class of Soldier Capability

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Perception becomes power and decisions move at the speed of instinct with Soldier Borne Mission Command

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – March. 9, 2026 – The modern battlefield will be won by Warriors who understand first, decide in milliseconds, and act with absolute certainty. That future isn’t coming. It’s here.

The United States Army has awarded Elbit Systems of America (Elbit America) an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract valued at $120.5 million to develop Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC). This creates a next-generation capability that redefines how Soldiers operate, connect, and dominate in complex, contested environments, built on Elbit America’s proven legacy of see-through-display and night vision expertise.

Elbit America’s SBMC isn’t an evolution in capability. It’s a revolution in Soldier lethality built for the speed and complexity of modern combat. SBMC fuses live multi-spectral sensors with assured positioning into an intuitive, head-borne experience. The result? Soldiers gain the prime advantage with continuous, mission-critical awareness without burden, distraction, or delay.

SBMC delivers total connectivity, sharing visual intelligence and threat data across the unit in real time. Squads become synchronized, sensor-enabled teams where every Soldier benefits from the collective insight of the force. SBMC delivers prime perception that drives clarity and dominance even in denied or degraded environments.

“SBMC changes the speed of decision-making and enables confident, decisive action in moments that define the fight.” said Erik Fox, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Warfighter Systems at Elbit America. “Thanks to our close collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton we gain mission-critical information, instantly and intuitively, allowing Soldiers to think and react faster.”

Elbit America tapped advanced technology company Booz Allen (NYSE: BAH), the leading provider of AI to the federal government, to build SBMC’s critical software backbone, including advanced extended reality solutions, networking frameworks, and AI-enabled insights.

“Our Soldier Borne Mission Command is critical to winning on the battlefield. Soldiers need processed data distilled, so they’re more lethal and survivable. They need it at near zero latency and in a manner that enables them to shoot, maneuver, and share instantaneously,” said Luke Savoie, President and CEO of Elbit America. “For years, we’ve been the lead at sending data directly into the eye of the Warfighter, whether it’s through our Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular systems or the sensor fusion we do in the F-35 helmet. Enabling the Soldier to do more is one of our core competencies. We look forward to bringing game-changing innovation and decades of production program experience to this competition.”

As the U.S. Army enhances the capabilities of fielded systems, SBMC sets the foundation for human-machine teaming, autonomous integration, and cognitive warfare dominance. Elbit America is merging proven expertise with next-generation technologies to create SBMC: a capability that transforms awareness into action and ensures Soldiers move at the speed of instinct.

MORE: www.elbitamerica.com/night-vision

Posted in Army, C5ISR, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

Med-Eng Pleased to Support United States Department of War with Delivery of Sensor Capabilities Contract Previously Announced by Cadre Holdings

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Company Providing Mission-Critical Blast Exposure Monitoring System to Preserve and Maintain Readiness for Warfighters

OGDENSBURG, NY — As originally announced by Cadre Holdings, Inc. (“Cadre”), on November 19, 2025, Med-Eng, LLC, a world leader in personal protective technologies against blast and a subsidiary of Cadre, was awarded a 5-year Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a maximum value of $50 million by the United States Department of War (DoW) to deliver and support the Blast Exposure Monitoring (BEMO) Program. The BEMO systems, including sensor hardware and related software, measure and record blast overpressure exposures experienced in training operations as part of a DoW Brain Health program.

First delivery under the contract is underway and follows a competitive 5-year funded development program to improve methods for identifying blast overpressure exposures impacting the warfighter while using heavy weapon systems and conducting explosive breaching in dynamic combat and training environments. Once deployed, real-time updates will be available for team leaders, commanders, and medical personnel, enabling rapid triage decisions and dynamic adjustments to tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

Med-Eng General Manager Rob Reynolds commented, “I am extremely proud of the Med-Eng team for the tireless efforts they have shown throughout this multi-year program and since contract award in late 2025. At each phase of the open competition, the team showed its ability to listen, evolve and deliver. This is the latest demonstration of how Med-Eng can leverage its deep understanding of blast threats to develop new, technology-based solutions that will help the short and long term health of the warfighter. This capability will form a key part of monitoring the effects of blast overpressure exposures during training and will significantly increase the empirical data knowledge base of the military medical community. We look forward to supporting the customer through the delivery phases and to developing our sensor capabilities to meet evolving threats.”

Med-Eng has been a pioneer in the development and fielding of body-worn blast sensors since 2006. This latest generation is a significant step forward in the convergence of hardware, mobile device apps, and intuitive dashboards to bridge the gap between blast overpressure events and longitudinal brain health monitoring. This will help team leaders, medical staff, and senior leadership to utilize powerful decision-making tools based on tracking both single event and cumulative blast overpressure exposure.

Posted in Contracts, Medical, Press Release, SOF | No Comments »

Green Berets Hone Drone Proficiency with Advanced Training

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

FORT CARSON, Colo. — High winds tear across the tactical range — tumbleweeds pass and debris swirls but a tactical drone maneuvers steadily through the sky, locked on course and unmoved by the elements. This moment reflects the culmination of three demanding weeks of training.

Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) completed an intensive training program from Feb. 9 to 27, conducting exercises both in the classroom and across multiple tactical ranges on Fort Carson. The Advanced Drone Course taken by the Soldiers is designed to expand operational capabilities and enhance small unmanned aerial system employment across the modern battlefield.

The course, led by instructors from 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), brought together Green Berets, alongside a Soldier from the 4th Infantry Division. Throughout the training, students developed hands-on proficiency in soldering, assembling, programming and piloting small UAS platforms.

The course emphasized technical mastery and tactical integration, reinforcing that drones are not a substitute for core Soldier skills but an additional asset that increases precision, adaptability, and lethality during reconnaissance and combat operations.

“This is simply another tool in a Soldier’s kit but its impact depends on how well we understand and employ it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jovani Vasquez of the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. “Our adversaries recognize that too. This technology is increasing worldwide, and enemy forces and terrorist organizations are actively using it. We must remain just as adaptive and informed to maintain the advantage.”

As the rhythm of warfare continues to evolve, UAS platforms have become increasingly central to operations. Over the past two decades, the battlefield has expanded beyond traditional ground maneuvering, requiring Soldiers to adapt to threats and opportunities in the air domain. The Advanced Drone Course reflects the Army’s commitment to ensuring units remain agile and prepared to meet emerging challenges.

Upon completion of the course, graduates are capable of independently maintaining and repairing their systems in austere environments. Soldiers are trained to troubleshoot malfunctions, replace components, and conduct basic modifications to sustain mission effectiveness.

“If the motor goes out, they now have the ability to re-solder a new motor, fix it, and continue the mission,” said a UAS instructor from 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). “If your M4 jams, you don’t stop — you find a solution. The same mindset applies to drones. Soldiers need to perform basic repairs and keep the mission moving.”

By investing in advanced drone training, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) reinforces its ability to adapt to the evolving character of warfare. The course equips Soldiers with the technical skills and problem-solving mindset needed to build, repair, and employ small unmanned aerial systems in any environment. As technology reshapes the battlefield, initiatives like this ensure Green Berets remain agile, self-sufficient, and ready to maintain the advantage.

By SGT Zachary Myers

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

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