The US Army's drone surge has limits. A commander says more tech isn't always better.

"While Army leadership has been pushing new drone technology, much of the learning - including how many drones small units can realistically handle - is happening on the fly. At the Association of the US Army's annual event in Washington, DC, this week, Col. Dave Lamborn, commander of the 2nd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, said there's an upper limit on the "number of devices to field out to tactical formations.""

"'I certainly want to enable squads, but I also don't want to encumber squads,' Lamborn said. 'There's enough stuff for these guys to do.' A squad leader, for example, would end up with even more responsibilities, while fire teams could wind up managing devices instead of leading their riflemen. Soldiers already juggle plenty of gear, like night vision, thermal optics, radios, and weapons, that demand constant attention, Lamborn said."

"Drone distribution isn't just about workload, he added. It's also about key resources, such as batteries, charging stations, spare parts, 3D-printing gear, and power generation. Each adds a new layer of logistical hurdles to overcome. By limiting that distribution, Lamborn said, he can better tackle those resource demands, "which prove to be a great challenge for us in a jungle environment, quite frankly," back a bit."

The US Army is prioritizing integration of drone technology while recognizing limits on distribution to small units. Squads already manage significant gear—night vision, thermal optics, radios, and weapons—making additional drone responsibilities potentially burdensome. Platoons are identified as the lowest practical echelon for routinely operating drones without unduly encumbering leaders and fire teams. Drone operations introduce logistical demands including batteries, charging stations, spare parts, 3D-printing equipment, and power generation. Those resource requirements compound operational complexity, especially in austere environments such as jungles. Restricting device distribution enables more manageable logistics and reduces overload on frontline soldiers.

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