U.S. Army intensifies search for Pacific-ready drones
The drones must be capable of covering long distances and be resilient to harsh weather conditions. Such drones are sought by the American army, which is intensifying its search for equipment that can operate over the waters of the Pacific. This search is a key part of the U.S. Army's "Transformation in Contact" program.
As part of the "Transformation in Contact" program, the American army is looking for drones that can undertake long-range operations in the challenging weather of the Pacific. According to Defense One, the program aims to experiment with and efficiently implement new technologies. These efforts are meant to address certain gaps in current military capabilities.
Operational challenges in the Pacific region
During the AUSA Land Forces Pacific symposium, Brigadier General Mike Rose, commander of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), emphasized the key challenge of long-distance reconnaissance. He noted that they are aware of existing gaps and confront them on a daily basis. Campaigns are currently underway to identify these deficiencies and test technologies that can address them.
Meanwhile, Colonel Charles Kean of the 1st MDTF highlights the need for solar-powered drones that are lightweight and adapted to the specific climatic conditions of the region. Such drones must be capable of operating over long distances and in severe weather conditions.
Program "Transformation in Contact"
The Transformation in Contact (TiC) program enables units to test systems that may be useful in future operational activities. This process allows technologies to be tailored to the specific requirements of units operating in different regions, including the Pacific area.
Units participating in TiC 2.0 have the opportunity to provide feedback to the industry on the systems being tested. This feedback enables improvements and adjustments to be made to technologies in response to changing operational requirements.