Karina Bovsunovska19:48, 02.09.26

The creation of this specialized unit was a wise move.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is demanding that the Army explain why it ordered a unit based in Europe to stop specializing in drone warfare. The order comes as global theaters of war are rapidly changing and military tactics increasingly rely on unmanned systems, The Independent reports . 

The U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade was developing its own drones and practicing the very style of warfare that Ukraine pioneered against Russia and Iran against the United States — tactics that have killed and wounded American service members. The 600-strong brigade was formed in November to deploy where UAV capabilities were needed. 

“We are deeply concerned that eliminating this specialized drone unit will limit our ability to learn from allies, including the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and hinder our efforts to modernize drone warfare at the speed necessary to compete on the modern battlefield,” the lawmakers said in a letter provided to The Associated Press.

The document requests a briefing from the Army outlining its arguments. It was sent to outgoing Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and to Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the acting Army chief of staff.

Also supporting this demand were Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Republican Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina, Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, and Republican Representative Mike Turner of Ohio.

“The creation of this specialized unit was a prudent step at a time when the nature of warfare is changing faster than the ability of traditional military formations to adapt to these changes,” the lawmakers added.

They emphasized: 

“We support the reform initiatives that the Army has implemented in this area under Secretary Driscoll’s leadership, and would like to see this momentum maintained even after the change in military leadership.”

(C)UNIAN 2026