Reference Message Network reported on May 3 that according to a report on the website of the US "Wall Street Journal" on April 30, the US Army is launching its largest reform since the end of the Cold War. It plans to equip each combat division with about 1,000 drones and淘汰 obsolete weapons and other equipment.

This plan is the result of more than a year of testing at large training grounds in Bavaria, Germany, and other US military bases, and draws heavily on the experience of the Ukrainian war. In the Ukrainian war, the extensive use of small drones has changed the battlefield landscape.

The report said that if this plan is implemented, all 10 active-duty divisions of the US Army will use drones on a large scale for reconnaissance, logistics transportation, and strike missions.

To gain experience, US officers have consulted with Ukrainian military personnel and contractors who have worked with the Ukrainian army to learn about their innovations in drone usage.

Colonel Donald Neil, commander of the US Army's Second Mechanized Division, said: "We must learn how to use drones, how to fight alongside them, how to expand production and put them into practical use so that we can see further. We have always had drones since I joined the army, but the numbers were very few."

In February, a brigade of the 10th Mountain Division conducted confrontation drills against simulated enemy forces in the Hornfel Training Area, fully demonstrating the results of drone-assisted operations. During the Cold War, the large training ground in Hornfel was used to simulate possible Soviet armored warfare in Western Europe.

The Ukrainian and Russian armies have been engaging in artillery, armored vehicles, manned fighter jets, and other conventional systems. However, analysts say it is drones that have changed the battlefield situation, as they are inexpensive, able to overwhelm defenses with swarm attacks, and can send real-time videos back to the rear, making it almost impossible to hide on the battlefield.

Jack Keene, former deputy chief of staff of the US Army, said: "Land warfare has transformed into drone warfare. As long as you expose yourself, you may be eliminated. Soldiers carrying rocket launchers, tanks, command and control facilities, artillery positions—anything—can be quickly destroyed by drones." He observed the exercises here.

Drones are just one of the capabilities the US Army plans to deploy. The US Army is also studying more effective ways to connect soldiers on the battlefield more closely through mobile phones, tablets, and internet technology, and is purchasing a new type of infantry squad vehicle. The US Army plans to invest approximately $3 billion to develop more advanced systems to shoot down enemy drones and strengthen electronic warfare capabilities.

US officials said that overall, this reform will cost $36 billion over the next five years. The US Army will raise this money by cutting some outdated weapons and eliminating other systems. However, these measures require congressional support.

The report said that this reform, also known as the "Army Transformation Initiative," is being born at a time when the US government is trying to reduce spending and personnel across the entire federal government.

A Pentagon official said that US Army Chief of Staff Randy George and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll recently met with Vice President Vance to explain that the Army has developed a plan to enhance capabilities while making corresponding expenditure cuts. Defense Minister Pete Hackett approved the plan in an instruction signed this week.

George said in an interview: "We don't intend to request more funds. We just want to make better use of the funds we already have."

The US Army will stop procuring "Humvees"—its mainstay utility vehicles for decades—and joint light tactical vehicles. The US Army will also stop procuring M10 light tanks, as these tanks proved heavier and less useful than planned when the project started a decade ago. The Army also plans to eliminate some older "Apache" attack helicopters. Cutting civilian personnel will also help save costs.

Driscoll said in an interview that three brigades have already been equipped with some new unmanned systems, with the goal of completing the transformation of the rest of the active forces within two years. A division consists of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers and usually includes three brigades.

Army divisions that have not yet adopted new technologies typically have about a dozen long-range reconnaissance drones, which were first deployed over a decade ago.

According to the Army's reform plan aimed at enhancing its combat capabilities in Asia and Europe, the Army will still procure new tanks, long-range missiles, tilt-rotor aircraft, and other conventional systems. (Compiled/Translated by Xu Yanhong)

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7500056687417426495/

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