Handbooks to help ramp up use of drones

Army Battle Lab has issued two new publications to support the rapid adoption of small uncrewed aerial systems (s-UAS) across Army.

Drawing on lessons learnt from current conflicts, the Drone Tactics Handbook and the Unit Guide to s-UAS Operations are available on the Defence Intranet and in print, for use at all units.

The tactics book is designed for soldiers to learn how to employ s-UAS across intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance; overwatch; force protection; and, battle damage assessment.

The operations book, developed with HQ Avn Cmd, Land Combat College and 3 Bde, details the governance and processes needed for commanders to stand up the capability at their units.

Capt Shaheen Shekh, of Innovation and Experimentation at Army Battle Lab, said the handbooks were written to complement existing SOPs.

“S-UAS becomes part of the routine battle procedure, not an extra addition,” Capt Shekh said.

“They are continuous enablers throughout the entire mission cycle.”

Army Battle Lab will continue to capture lessons from units, current conflicts and partner forces, and update the publications as threats, such as electronic warfare and counter-UAS systems, evolve.