Rapid Equipping Force and West Point return for UAS and C-UAS Training

Photo By Ben Nigro | REF provides training to USMA cadets with UAS and C-UAS Training  

VA, UNITED STATES

04.24.2019

Story by Regina Barnes and Ben Nigro

Rapid Equipping Force - U.S. Army

The U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF) and U.S. Military Academy (USMA) joined together again in preparation for an upcoming Squad with Autonomous Teammates Challenge (SWAT-C) against the U.S. Naval Academy. This time, the event took place in West Point, NY. The REF’s Outreach team engaged USMA cadets and instructors to provide equipment and training support on the fundamentals of counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) using the Drone Buster and Squad Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations.

The REF and USMA first came together in December 2018 in preparation for an Army versus Navy competition – a three-day, force-on-force exercise using weapon simulators to capture the opponent’s flag. It also served as a research project to help develop squad-level tactics that augmented with unmanned ground and aerial systems. The group assessed the offensive and defensive capabilities of UAS systems (Black Hornet and Instant Eye), as well as how to counter UAS systems since they may be used against them. Many of the participants found the Drone Buster incredibly easy to use.

The REF has been equipping, upgrading, and providing training on various UAS and C-UAS efforts to Soldiers and units forward for years. The Black Hornet, a pocket-sized helicopter drone that has only been used by a select number of Soldiers in real-world operations, was first purchased by the Army in small quantities to meet reconnaissance needs of troops in Afghanistan in 2016. Now, it might become standard kit across a multitude of platoons in the Army.

“The Black Hornets definitely proved to be a device that could be really useful on a lower level tactical environment. Rather than having the larger battalion level drone assets, if we would be able to give these black hornets to smaller units like the platoon or even the squad level, I could definitely see these being useful in future operations for the Army, especially force on force operations” said Cadet Ethan Shepherd, Drone Pilot, Class of 2020.

One day, the cadets of USMA will be deployed and leading Soldiers. Training and exercises like this help familiarize them of UAS and C-UAS equipment for real-world combat. The REF is a small organization that has many partners throughout the government, deployed units, industry, and academia. “It’s important to let cadets, staff, and faculty know that the REF is an available (and free) resource to any deployed or deploying U.S. Army Soldier who identifies an urgent need of equipment to meet a critical tactical challenge. They can request support from the REF”, said LTC Christopher Korpela, West Point’s Robotics Research Center Director.

The REF provides innovative materiel solutions to meet the urgent requirements of U.S. Army forces employed globally, informs materiel development for the future force, and on order expands to meet operational demands.

This is not the last time the REF will provide support to USMA. The next SWAT-C event will be held at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Spring 2019. Go Army Beat Navy!

• Date Taken: 04.24.2019
• Date Posted: 04.24.2019 09:34
• Story ID: 319237
• Location: VA, US