U.S. Army to Disband Experimental Drone Battalion in Europe

The U.S. Army is set to phase out an experimental drone battalion in Europe, directing the specialized unit to return to its core airborne infantry mission. The decision, confirmed by an Army official, follows leadership changes within the military and comes amid ongoing debates about the role of unmanned systems in modern warfare.

The Unmanned Assault Battalion, part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Vicenza, Italy, was created last November to study and prototype tactics for drone warfare, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine. The unit, comprising about 600 soldiers, was tasked with developing and testing unmanned aerial systems. According to an Army official, the battalion will participate in exercises in Germany this month and next month before refocusing on airborne infantry duties assigned to a Mobile Brigade Combat Team Airborne.

The phaseout follows the removal of two senior commanders who championed the unit. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and former U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Chris Donahue earlier this year. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army's acting chief of staff, has since ordered the...