Half the drones in a recent US Army combat exercise were designed to be expendable

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Published: 2026-09-20T13:15:16.974Z • Permanent link

US Army officials have revealed that nearly half of the drones deployed in a recent combat exercise were designed to be expendable. According to a statement from General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the decision was made to prioritize flexibility and adaptability over the cost of maintaining a large drone force. The move has sparked controversy among defense experts, who argue that the use of expendable drones undermines the effectiveness of military operations.

The decision was reportedly made in response to the growing threat posed by advanced drone technology, particularly in the hands of adversaries such as China and Russia. The US Army has been working to develop a new generation of drones that can operate in increasingly complex and dynamic environments. The recent exercise, which took place in the deserts of Arizona, was designed to test the capabilities of the new drones and evaluate their performance in a variety of scenarios.

The development of expendable drones has also raised concerns among lawmakers and defense officials. Senator Jim Inhofe, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has called for greater transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of military technology. "We need to make sure that our military is using the latest technology to stay ahead of the enemy, but we also need to be mindful of the risks and consequences of using new and untested systems," Inhofe said in a statement.

The development and deployment of expendable drones has significant implications for the global defense industry. Companies such as General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman are already working on developing new drone systems that can be easily replaced or upgraded in the field. The use of expendable drones could also drive innovation and competition in the industry, as companies seek to develop new and more advanced systems.

The impact of the US Army's decision will also be felt in the research community, where scientists and engineers are working to develop new drone technologies and capabilities. Dr. Kenneth Hanson, a leading expert on drone technology, said that the use of expendable drones "represents a significant shift in the way we think about drone design and deployment. It's an opportunity for researchers and engineers to develop new and more advanced systems that can operate in a variety of environments.

The use of expendable drones is part of a broader trend in the defense industry towards increased flexibility and adaptability. In recent years, the US military has invested heavily in developing new technologies and capabilities that can be easily deployed and upgraded in the field. This approach is driven in part by the growing complexity and unpredictability of modern warfare, where enemy forces are increasingly using advanced technologies such as drones and cyber warfare to disrupt and degrade military operations.