US News
Acting Army chief cancels experimental drone battalion
Gen. Christopher LaNeve is winding down a 600-soldier experimental unit, returning the troops to standard airborne infantry duties.
The short version
- Acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve has decided to shut down an experimental drone battalion created from the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
- The 600 soldiers in the unit will complete a scheduled early fall exercise before returning to standard airborne infantry roles.
- Reporting attributes the cancellation to Pentagon leadership changes and internal policy shifts following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's appointment.
Key facts
- Acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve decided to wind down an experimental drone battalion originally set up in January.[Jalopnik]
- The unit consists of 600 soldiers reassigned from the 173rd Airborne Brigade who will return to traditional airborne infantry duties after an early fall exercise.[Jalopnik]
- Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George was removed from his post in April by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before LaNeve was elevated to acting chief.[Jalopnik]
- Other military unmanned aerial initiatives remain active, including Central Command's Task Force Scorpion Strike and Task Force Falcon Strike.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- It is unclear whether Gen. LaNeve will be formally nominated as permanent Army chief of staff or remain long-term in an acting capacity.[Jalopnik]