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Medal of Honor Recipients Offer Insights at SOF Week

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. — Of the 3,536 Medals of Honor presented since its establishment in 1861, only 61 recipients are alive today, and only a handful of them come from the U.S. special operations forces community.

Yesterday, three of those SOF recipients attended a panel discussion at Special Operations Forces Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas P. Payne, retired Army Master Sgt. Earl D. Plumlee and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew O. Williams shared experiences and lessons learned from their heroic actions during an hourlong conversation that emphasized the importance of trust, mentorship and resilience in leadership.

All three men explained what being a Medal of Honor recipient means to them on a personal level.

“Every time we put the medal on, it’s a gracious gift to sit here and talk about it,” said Williams, who received the medal for his actions of valor during Operation Commando Wrath in Afghanistan in 2008.

He added that a surprising number of people are unaware of the medal’s significance.

“And that significance has nothing to do with the guy wearing it, or the action that they took; but it’s the idea that you’re willing to put yourself and your life on the line for the guys [to the] left and [to the] right of you,” he said.

Plumlee, who received his medal for saving numerous lives by mounting a successful counterattack under heavy fire against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan in 2013, explained that he shared his ceremony with two other recipients, both of whom received the medal posthumously.

“That really brought some gravity,” he said.

He also explained that, with credible eyewitness testimony being a requirement for receiving the medal, many SOF personnel may be just as deserving of such an award but will never receive the recognition.

“I know a lot of guys who have done very heroic things, but it’s not captured and provable, [so] there’s no medal for it,” Plumlee said.

“It’s humbling, and I like to say that I’m wearing [the medal] for [the U.S. Special Operations Command] and vast amounts of operators who have done very heroic things for very little recognition, and [who] just went back to work the next day,” he added.

“Just letting the medal be a part of my life [has] required me to grow up,” said Payne, who received his MOH for saving 70 hostages with little regard for his own life during a 2015 rescue operation in Iraq.

“It’s just a process to live up to the standard of wearing the Medal of Honor, which is hard — every single day — and so, it’s a ‘beautiful burden,'” Payne added, quoting his friend and fellow recipient, retired Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter.

The three men also spoke about their shared passion for continued service following their time in uniform.

Plumlee said he gets the most out of inspiring others to serve their country.

“I love talking to people [who] were not thinking about serving — or if they’re dabbling in it — and really, you know, mentoring [them] and lighting that fire,” Plumlee said, adding that the country is always in need of men and women to sign up for military service and “take ownership of the country.”

“Every politician’s speech and every successful business is built on the bedrock of the security that the [Defense Department] provides,” he said.

Williams also said he enjoys encouraging others to serve, if not in the military, then in some other manner that benefits the country.

“One thing that really shocked me when I received the medal … was how much I enjoyed talking to other people about it and just perpetuating the values that we stand for … especially service, and how important service actually is,” Williams said.

“I like just talking about that — engaging specifically with kids and students — and going to schools and hoping to provide a little bit of a glimmer of hope for our country,” he added.

Payne said SOF operators like himself and the others on stage have lots of friends buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, and that he and his fellow SOF veterans are fortunate to be alive.

“I’ve just tried to live an extraordinary life in honor of my teammates … We’re on ‘plus time’ now,” he said, adding that, despite having been medically retired from the Army, he continues to find ways to serve his country.

“There’s a passion to serve still [and] I’m going to continue to serve in different ways,” Payne said.

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Posted in Army, Guest Post, History, Profession of Arms, SOF Week | Comments Off on Medal of Honor Recipients Offer Insights at SOF Week

Army Research Yields Rechargeable Battery for Extreme Operating Conditions

Saturday, May 10th, 2025

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 6, 2025) — Soldiers deploying in a wide range of climates for future conflicts will need batteries capable of powering their advanced electronics in extreme weather conditions. To meet these challenges, Army researchers are developing rechargeable batteries for Soldier-worn and handheld equipment with increased temperature ranges.

Initiatives to field Soldiers with next-generation equipment — such as night-vision devices, weapons, and radios — are driving the need to transition from single-use batteries to rechargeable versions, said Lexi Karalekas, an Army C5ISR Center chemical engineer.

The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Centeris working to improve performance of these batteries in cold and hot weather to meet the demands of Soldier-missions across a broad range of environments. Researchers are conducting lab testing of the cell technology.

“Results at the cell level show a significant enhancement in performance at extreme temperatures, achieving a higher capacity when compared with commercial-off-the-shelf options,” said Karalekas, C5ISR Center’s lead for the battery development project. “Through collaboration with industry, we are demonstrating advancements that potentially double the operational range and duration of systems powered by the innovative technology. This will enable Soldiers to operate in previously inaccessible temperatures.”

The Army’s next step is to incorporate these specialized cells into a prototype of the Army’s most widely used standard battery across many Soldier-portable systems. Because of the battery’s widespread use by Soldiers, any new iterations can be easily accommodated as ‘drop-in’ replacements. The new prototype will be delivered in the near term to C5ISR Center for lab testing before multiple rounds of Soldier field testing in extreme temperatures.

Once prototypes have been tested successfully in one battery pack, the cells inside can be incorporated into other standard Army batteries, said Dr. Ashley Ruth, a C5ISR Center senior electrochemical engineer.

“The use of standard batteries allows multiple systems to quickly see the benefits of this new technology rather than redesigning and requalifying bespoke batteries as improvements in cell chemistries occur,” Ruth said.

In addition to Soldier handheld electronics, the Army is looking to incorporate the technology into other battery types for vehicles, unmanned aerial systems and sensors.

Since 2023, the C5ISR Center has partnered with the Department of Defense Industrial Base Policy Office and Defense Innovation Unit to incorporate more advanced standard batteries from commercial industry to power Army equipment. C5ISR Center’s expertise in battery research and Army equipment power needs is paired with DIU’s commercial industry reach, flexibility and rapid contracting ability.

The newly developed battery cells can also be integrated into industry applications as the Army increasingly looks to commercial technology to support field experimentation.

For example, the Army is developing a rechargeable standard cell — the Operational Single Cell for Accessory Readiness (OSCAR) — in the same form factor as the common AA commercial cell.

“This cell has voltage flexibility and increased cold and hot weather performance that commercial manufacturers can leverage,” said Jon Novoa, a C5ISR Center division chief. “The voltage flexibility of OSCAR and emerging standard batteries allows military capability developers to focus on system development and their areas of expertise without having to focus on energy storage.

“The C5ISR Center continues to lead the way in standardizing Army batteries and coordinates capabilities and requirements across government agencies.”

Feedback from field experimentation continues to drive Army R&D to ensure batteries meet performance specifications required where Soldiers operate.

“Army technical investment, combined with industry partnerships, remains critical to meet the unique power needs of Soldiers,” said C5ISR Center Director Beth Ferry.

By Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Power, Research | Comments Off on Army Research Yields Rechargeable Battery for Extreme Operating Conditions

US Army Conducts Live-Fire Test of High-Powered Microwave for Exercise Balikatan 2025

Thursday, May 8th, 2025

The 1MDTF soldiers were joined by members of the Philippine Air Force, 960th Air and Missile Defense Group, who participated alongside their partners as part of the Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) program, and U.S. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion’s Ground-Based Air Defense Battery who employed the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) during this multi-day live-fire event.

“This is a great opportunity for joint training alongside our short-range air defense counterparts from the U.S. Marines,” said U.S. Army Capt. Bray McCollum, battery commander of 1-51 ADA’s Integrated Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) battery.

This is the first time the Army’s IFPC-HPM has been employed in the Indo-Pacific and tested in a tropical environment. This advanced equipment supports the U.S.-Philippine Alliance through enhancing combined military cooperation and advancing our shared commitment to a secure, stable, and free Indo-Pacific region for all.

The IFPC-HPM is a Directed Energy (DE) weapon system that emits a beam of microwave energy that can disrupt, disable, or destroy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The IFPC-HPM is the first material released DE weapon system specifically designed to counter groups and swarms of drones. The 1st MDTF was the first unit to field the HPMs in February 2024 and has since been conducting tests across a range of environments.

In another first for the Indo-Pacific region, the IFPC-HPM and FS-LIDS were used together in a complementary system. FS-LIDS is another counter-UAS capability that has been operationally deployed in the middle east for the past decade. Together with the IFPC-HPM it can be used for the sensing, tracking, and disabling of UAS while allowing IFPC-HPM operators to gain positive identification of the UAS target using its electro-optical infrared camera. Both systems can be used to disable the targets. This creates a layered defense of non-kinetic effects to defeat small UAS.

“During this test, we were able to demonstrate that we can successfully defeat drone swarms in a tropical environment using layered effects,” said McCollum.

The results of the test will be analyzed by the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) who manage the development, prototyping, and testing of the Army’s Directed Energy weapons. The results will be used to improve the effectiveness in countering UAS swarms and help inform the Army’s future force requirements.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines learned about the IFPC-HPM and FS-LIDS as part of the SMEE program, strengthening their partnership with the U.S. and giving them the skills that could enhance their role in national defense.

“This is a great opportunity to show our Philippine Allies the cutting-edge capabilities that the U.S. Army has in development,” said McCollum, “This training demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our ties with our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.”

As a theater-level unit and joint force enabler, assigned to the Indo-Pacific, the 1st MDTF plays a vital role in synchronizing long-range precision fires layered with long-range precision effects to create multiple dilemmas and neutralize adversary anti-access and area denial networks. The MDTF’s proven innovation, agility, and lethality have led the Army to direct five full MDTFs in strategically significant locations worldwide.

Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces designed to strengthen the alliance, showcase the capable combined force, and demonstrate the commitment to regional security and stability.

By MAJ Ian Sandall, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on US Army Conducts Live-Fire Test of High-Powered Microwave for Exercise Balikatan 2025

US Army Trains with Latest Maritime Domain Awareness Capabilities Alongside Philippine Partners During Balikatan 25

Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales, Philippines — The 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force conducted drone, high altitude balloon, and electromagnetic warfare training alongside Philippine counterparts at Palawan and Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui during the annual 2025 Balikatan exercise.

The battalion is honing its skills on reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and non-kinetic effects using ground-based EW systems, ultra-long endurance, solar powered Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and High-Altitude Balloons (HABs).

A key highlight of the training includes extending network communications for retransmission of signals between multiple aerial capabilities.

“These long-range high endurance UAS are capable of establishing network connectivity between multiple aircraft at long distances,” said Maj. Malcolm Royer, Electronic Warfare Sensing Company commander. “We’re continuing work to extend that range.”

Prior to Balikatan 2025, the unit was at Yakima Training Center in Washington, conducting Static Focus 3, the Army’s first battalion-level All-Domain Home Station Training exercise. This training, held from March 3-14, 2025, was the first time Soldiers were able to operate all MDEB capabilities in a completely live environment. The soldiers were able to bring this knowledge with them to Balikatan 25.

“Static Focus is our annual training and risk reduction exercise to build multidomain teams with capabilities for all domain operations from every company across the MDEB,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joe Mroszczyk, 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion Commander, “Our Soldiers are identifying best practices and training our headquarters elements to operate at dispersed locations ahead of doing the same in the Philippines.”

During Exercise Balikatan 25, the unit trained alongside members of the Philippine Air Force, conducting multiple training balloon launches and UAS sorties. They also coordinated with PAF airspace controllers to deconflict airspace for both Philippine and U.S. air traffic, supporting reconnaissance for the HIMARS live-fire operations conducted by their sister Long Range Fires Battalion. This seamless coordination supports the combined U.S.-Philippine force land-based counter maritime capabilities.

As part of the training, the unit mounted a UAS launch cradle onto the roof of a Philippine Air Force vehicle, showcasing the potential for future collaboration with the PAF in conducting fixed-wing launches from an airstrip.

This type of collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan 25 enhances our interoperability and helps strengthen our partnership and commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.

By MAJ Ian Sandall

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on US Army Trains with Latest Maritime Domain Awareness Capabilities Alongside Philippine Partners During Balikatan 25

US Army, Philippine Air Force Test Counter-Drone Systems at Balikatan 2025

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales, Philippines — The 1st Multi-Domain Task Force recently conducted tests of their Integrated Fires Protection Capability High-Powered Microwave, or IFPC-HPM, and Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System, or FS-LIDS, in a combined joint integrated air and missile defense live-fire exercise at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, April 28, 2025.

The 1st MDTF Soldiers were joined by members of the Philippine Air Force, 960th Air and Missile Defense Group — who participated as part of the Subject Matter Expert Exchange program — and by U.S. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion’s Ground-Based Air Defense Battery who employed the Marine Air Defense Integrated System during this multi-day live-fire event.

This is the first time the Army’s IFPC-HPM has been employed in the Indo-Pacific and tested in a tropical environment. This advanced equipment supports the U.S.-Philippine alliance through enhancing combined military cooperation and advancing our shared commitment to a secure, stable, and free Indo-Pacific region for all.

The IFPC-HPM is a directed energy weapon system that emits a beam of microwave energy that can disrupt, disable or destroy unmanned aerial systems. The IFPC-HPM is the first material released directed energy weapon system specifically designed to counter groups and swarms of drones. The 1st MDTF was the first unit to field the HPMs in February 2024 and has since been conducting tests across a range of environments.

In another first for the Indo-Pacific region, the IFPC-HPM and FS-LIDS were used together in a complementary system. FS-LIDS is another counter-UAS capability that has been operationally deployed in the Middle East for the past decade. Together with the IFPC-HPM it can be used for the sensing, tracking, and disabling of UAS while allowing IFPC-HPM operators to gain positive identification of the UAS target using its electro-optical infrared camera. Both systems can be used to disable the targets. This creates a layered defense of non-kinetic effects to defeat small UAS.

“During this test, we were able to demonstrate that we can successfully defeat drone swarms in a tropical environment using layered effects,” said McCollum.

The results of the test will be analyzed by the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office who manage the development, prototyping and testing of the Army’s Directed Energy weapons. The results will be used to improve the effectiveness in countering UAS swarms and help inform the Army’s future force requirements.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines learned about the IFPC-HPM and FS-LIDS as part of the Subject Matter Expert Exchange program, strengthening their partnership with the U.S. and giving them the skills that could enhance their role in national defense.

“This is a great opportunity to show our Philippine allies the cutting-edge capabilities that the U.S. Army has in development,” said McCollum, “This training demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our ties with our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.”

By MAJ Ian Sandall

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on US Army, Philippine Air Force Test Counter-Drone Systems at Balikatan 2025

Maximizing Infantry Battalion Enablers: Effective Employment of the Multi-Purpose Company Commander

Saturday, May 3rd, 2025

In 2024, as part of the Army force structure (ARSTRUC) transformation, the Army Chief of Staff identified the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a transformation in contact (TiC) unit. The Army tasked the brigade with testing new formations through a full training cycle, culminating in a combat training center (CTC) rotation. In response, 2/101 transformed into a mobile brigade combat team (MBCT) to evaluate the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). Under the new ARSTRUC, the Army moved enabler battalions to division-level control, leaving three infantry battalions in the brigade. The TiC initiative allowed 2/101 MBCT to establish a multi-functional reconnaissance company (MFRC) and three multi-purpose companies (MPCs). The brigade designated the MFRC as its primary reconnaissance and targeting asset while the MPCs will conduct security and counter-reconnaissance operations for the infantry battalions.

The MPC replaced the heavy weapons company within the infantry battalion. In the past, the battalion’s enablers — such as the scout platoon and mortar platoon — were organized under the headquarters and headquarters company (HHC). However, the establishment of the MPC centralizes these assets under a single command, consolidating the battalion’s enablers and adding new capabilities such as the anti-tank platoon and robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) platoon. This reorganization provides a significant advantage. Historically, the HHC commander was burdened by the conflicting demands of both staff sections and specialty platoons in garrison. In the field, the HHC commander was delegated to oversee the combat trains command post (CTCP) while the battalion commander and staff managed the enablers. With the advent of the MPC, a dedicated maneuver company commander now ensures that enablers are fully integrated into the battalion’s operations, thereby giving the battalion commander greater freedom to make informed decisions and command and control (C2) the fight more effectively.

Figure 1 — MBCT Task Organization

Figure 2 — Multi-Purpose Company Task Organization

The MPC Commander as a Staff Officer

The role of the MPC commander extends beyond tactical leadership on the battlefield. In both garrison and operational environments, the MPC commander must function as a staff officer, closely collaborating with key battalion staff members. This collaboration begins in garrison, where the MPC commander develops a strong working relationship with the S-2 (intelligence), the fire support officer (FSO), and the protection officer within the S-3 (operations) shop. Together, they form a fusion cell, ensuring that all of the battalion’s enablers are integrated into the mission. This coordinated approach prevents the stove-piping of information within specific sections, guarantees that no assets are overlooked, and provides a maneuver commander with the ability to validate the feasibility of how the staff intends to integrate enablers into the battalion’s overall maneuver plan.

In preparation for Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation 24-10, the MPC commander of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment worked closely with members of the fusion cell. The MPC holds most of the battalion’s short-range and medium-range unmanned aerial system (UAS) assets in addition to its scouts. Collaboration with the S-2 was critical in developing realistic collection plans and clearly defined priority intelligence requirements (PIRs) that would lead to actionable decisions by the battalion commander. The MPC and S-2 shop also played a key role in devising 2/101 MBCT’s tactical deception plan, which utilized Wi-Fi and Bluetooth decoy emitters to mislead the enemy. In coordination with the FSO, the MPC commander developed a shared understanding of key considerations such as mortar section displacement times, standard fire mission round counts, and load configurations for each mortar section. Additionally, the often-overlooked warfighting function of protection became a priority as we developed techniques on planning the integration of Stingers and counter-UAS systems prior to the rotation.

A 2/101 MBCT drone operator conducts reconnaissance.

In the field, the MPC commander contributes significantly to the military decision-making process (MDMP). Upon receiving a mission, the MPC commander should immediately move to the battalion’s main command post (MCP) to analyze the mission and advocate for the effective use of enabler platoons. By working with the fusion cell and the battalion commander, the MPC commander helps develop reconnaissance guidance, PIRs, an information collection matrix, an initial fires plan, and the scheme of protection. This collaboration ensures enablers are fully integrated into the mission.

During 1-26 IN’s preparation for JRTC 24-10, the MPC commander participated in the Leader Training Program to solidify the MDMP process. This coordination paid dividends as the MPC commander consistently moved to the MCP upon receipt of a mission, helped develop essential planning outputs, and then returned to lead the platoons in tactical operations. This system ensured that 1-26 IN maximized the effectiveness of its enablers in shaping the fight for the rifle companies.

Figure 3 — Multi-Purpose Company Commander’s Role in the Military Decision-Making Process

The MPC Commander as a Maneuverist

While the MPC commander serves a vital staff role, he/she is also a maneuverist who leads the company on the battlefield. The MPC is a modular unit that can fight in various configurations depending on the battalion commander’s vision. The platoons may operate independently as organic enablers, as a consolidated company, or as multi-functional reconnaissance teams (MFRTs) that combine reconnaissance and anti-tank capabilities. The MPC commander’s experience and leadership are best utilized forward with the enablers to deal with friction points and consolidate reports for the battalion.

At JRTC 24-10, 1-26 IN ensured that the MPC commander remained forward during operations. Upon the initial joint forcible entry, the MPC as a whole established a screen for the battalion, kept platoons organic during defensive operations, and organized MFRTs to conduct counter-reconnaissance during offensive operations. The MPC commander’s forward presence allowed him to resolve issues related to communication and sustainment quickly and make tactical decisions in alignment with the battalion commander’s intent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a company commander solely dedicated to the training, employment, and maneuver of a battalion’s key enablers is critical in modern warfare. As technology continues to advance, the integration of innovations in UAS, advanced software, and artificial intelligence will become increasingly essential to improving both the lethality and survivability of military forces. A dedicated maneuverist who can effectively balance the staff work and tactical maneuver will maximize the multi-purpose company’s ability to sense, kill, and protect. This will ensure infantry battalions are better equipped to face the dynamic challenges of contemporary battlefields, ultimately enhancing mission success and operational efficiency.

Notes

1 This graphic is a modified version of Figure 5-1 in Field Manual 5-0, Planning and Orders Production, November 2024.

By CPT Philip S. Tateyama – He currently serves as the commander of the Multi-Purpose Company for 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. He graduated from the George Washington University in 2015 with a degree in political science and environmental studies. He attended Basic Combat Training in October 2017 and commissioned as an Infantry officer from Officer Candidate School in April 2018. His previous assignments include serving as rifle platoon leader, headquarters and headquarters company executive officer, and assistant S-3 with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, HI.

This article appeared as a bonus article in the Winter 2024-2025 issue of Infantry. View this issue at www.moore.army.mil/Infantry/Magazine/issue

Posted in Army, Forces Focus | 5 Comments »

West Point’s Hypersonic Rocket Team Sets Record-Breaking Rocket Launch

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

WEST POINT, N.Y. — On Jan. 11, 2025, a team of eight cadets and their advisors prepared their equipment on a cold morning in the remote desert of Black Rock Playa, Nevada. The team was about to face a challenge that would test both their engineering skills and their resilience: to break the Karman Line, the boundary of space, 100 kilometers above Earth. But this was not just a mission to reach space; it was a journey of innovation and determination – built on the teamwork of six years of cadets designing, testing, failing, and succeeding to do something that few people have ever accomplished. It was a test of what they had been taught, their ability to adapt, and the courage to push past their limits. In alignment with the Academy’s annual intellectual theme, “The Human and the Machine: Leadership on the Emerging Battlefield”, this mission highlighted the powerful intersection of human determination and technological advancement.

That day, the SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team successfully launched a two-stage hypersonic rocket to an astonishing 149.556 km—surpassing the amateur rocketry altitude record by 6 km and the Karman Line (100 km), the internationally recognized boundary of space!

The day before the launch, the team huddled together, surrounded by planning documents and scattered components, making last minute decisions that would shape the outcome. At the heart of their strategy was simplicity – every decision driven by efficiency. That mindset paid off.

The next morning, as the countdown reached zero, the rocket ignited. The team watched in tense anticipation as it soared through the atmosphere. Every calculation, every design choice led to this very moment. As the vehicle soared beyond the Karman Line, the mission’s success depended on one final challenge – recovery.

Hiking through the rocky terrain, the team could hear the crunch of the desert crust beneath their boots as they trudged up the mountain in search of the rocket. The air was cold, their bodies were tired, and the uncertainty of the outcome loomed.

“We had a track on the rocket during flight, but we didn’t know the condition of the system after descent. It was unclear whether we would be able to recover anything”, Major Kevin Zander, Advisor and Instructor, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering recalled. The team pushed deeper into the mountains following a GPS signal, ascending 1,500 feet to reach over 6,000 feet in total altitude.

As the team surveyed the landscape, a glint of sunlight reflected off metal caught their eyes – Cadet Barrett Connor (‘25) spotted the payload amidst the rocks. The moment was surreal.

“We didn’t want this to be a case where the telemetry data says we made it, but there’s no physical evidence”, Cadet Ida McLaughlin (‘25) explained. “Now we can hold in our hands a part of the vehicle that actually touched space”.

After six years of development and perseverance, the team has set new records by crossing the Karman Line with precision and confidence.

Colonel Aaron Hill, Deputy Head, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, reflected “It would be an understatement to say I’m proud of this team! This successful launch upholds the long legacy of excellence at West Point and proves that our graduates are prepared to design and implement solutions in complex environments as trusted Army professionals.”

The success of their mission was a validation of the decisions made over years of planning, testing, and refining. Every step, every choice, led them to this moment.

The team returned to Black Rock Playa in April to launch again, testing new capabilities, and laying the groundwork to guide the 2026 team to even more success. SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team continued to push the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that West Point cadets remain at the forefront of innovation and leadership.

Born from a cadet-driven initiative in 2018, the Space Engineering and Applied Research program found early support from mentors within the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team is now one of the most ambitious undergraduate rocketry programs in the Nation and a critical part of the Space Community of Practice at West Point that is developing Army officers who are capable of leading in emerging space operations, hypersonics, and cutting-edge rocket technology.

This historic launch would not have been possible without the support of many dedicated individuals and organizations. A special thank you to DEVCOM AvMC, the Office of Naval Research, Pyramid Lake Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management Black Rock Field Office, Gerlach Community, and FAA Western Service Area. Their guidance, support, and resources played a crucial role in making this mission a success!

SPEAR Hypersonic Rocket Team is administered by the Center for Applied Research in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, with contributions across West Point including the Departments of Systems Engineering, Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry and Life Sciences, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

This project is part of West Point’s 26th annual Projects Day Research Symposium that showcases more than 350 cadet-led research projects. Learn more about the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at bit.ly/WP_CME and check out more project features at www.westpoint.edu/werx

By Jana Scardigno Marketing Specialist, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Research | Comments Off on West Point’s Hypersonic Rocket Team Sets Record-Breaking Rocket Launch

Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

Army Leaders,

Battlefields across the world are changing at a rapid pace. Autonomous systems are becoming more lethal and less expensive. Sensors and decoys are everywhere. Dual-use technologies are continuously evolving and outpacing our processes to defeat them. To maintain our edge on the battlefield, our Army will transform to a leaner, more lethal force by adapting how we fight, train, organize, and buy equipment.

Consistent with the Secretary of Defense directive dated 30 April 2025, the Army is implementing a comprehensive transformation strategy — the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI). This initiative will reexamine all requirements and eliminate unnecessary ones, ruthlessly prioritize fighting formations to directly contribute to lethality, and empower leaders at echelon to make hard calls to ensure resources align with strategic objectives. To achieve this, ATI comprises three lines of effort: deliver critical warfighting capabilities, optimize our force structure, and eliminate waste and obsolete programs.

Deliver Warfighting Capabilities. ATI builds upon our Transformation in Contact (TiC) effort, which prototypes organizational changes and integrates emerging technology into formations to innovate, learn, refine requirements, and develop solutions faster. We will introduce long-range missiles and modernized UAS into formations, field the M1E3 tank, develop the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, and close the C-sUAS capability gap. Command and control nodes will integrate Artificial Intelligence to accelerate decision-making and preserve the initiative. Agile funding, which shifts from program-centric to capability-based portfolios, will increase timely equipment fielding and accelerate innovation cycles. Adaptation is no longer an advantage — it’s a requirement for survival.

Optimize Force Structure. Our focus is on filling combat formations with Soldiers. Every role must sharpen the spear or be cut away. We are eliminating 1,000 staff positions at HQDA. To further optimize force structure, Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command will merge into a single command that aligns force generation, force design, and force development under a single headquarters. Forces Command will transform into Western Hemisphere Command through the consolidation of Army North and Army South. Multi-Domain Task Forces will align with theater headquarters to operate under relevant authorities. We will trim general officer positions to streamline command structures and revise civilian talent management policies to prioritize performance.

We will also restructure Army Aviation by reducing one Aerial Cavalry Squadron per Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in the Active Component, and we will consolidate aviation sustainment requirements and increase operational readiness. We will convert all Infantry Brigade Combat Teams to Mobile Brigade Combat Teams to improve mobility and lethality in a leaner formation. We are trading weight for speed, and mass for decisive force.

Eliminate Waste and Obsolete Programs. We will cancel procurement of outdated crewed attack aircraft such as the AH-64D, excess ground vehicles like the HMMWV and JLTV, and obsolete UAVs like the Gray Eagle. We will also continue to cancel programs that deliver dated, late-to-need, overpriced, or difficult-to-maintain capabilities. Yesterday’s weapons will not win tomorrow’s wars.

This is a first step. We have already directed a second round of transformation efforts to be delivered in the coming months.

Leaders, we need you to drive change to ensure we stay lethal, ready, and continue to build cohesive teams that take care of our Soldiers and families. Our Army must transform now to a leaner, more lethal force by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield. Our continuous transformation is underpinned by strong, agile leaders who act on their initiative.

This We’ll Defend.

Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army

Randy A. George, General, United States Army, Chief of Staff

Letter to the Force

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