The complexities of the modern battlespace can’t be simulated in a classroom or even in routine training. Force readiness is built when the entire formation is empowered to integrate multiple warfighting functions in a fast-moving environment—however, without a long endurance uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), even the most realistic exercise will be lacking in actionable intelligence.
To prepare soldiers for the realities of today’s battlespaces, this June the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team (MBCT) incorporated mission-critical UAS during a Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Because of its long range, multi-mission capabilities, Redwire’s Stalker UAS was selected to support what became the largest UAS-fielded National Guard unit to attend a training center rotation to date.
A Modernization Milestone for the Army National Guard
By validating new formations, technology, and tactics in this large-scale combat operations simulation, Army leadership sought to advance the readiness of brigade-sized units for both domestic response and global missions.
Approximately 3,000 soldiers from the 116th MBCT were part of the month-long training rotation that also included units from 18 states and territories, three U.S. Army Reserve units, and international partners.
The goal of the rotation was to prepare the Guard for overseas deployments in addition to protecting and serving communities at home.
Integrating UAS Across the Force
When a training center rotation does not have a long endurance asset, the brigade is starved for intelligence and limited on their ability to execute long range fires. Uncrewed aircraft like Stalker were incorporated in the rotation at all echelons to improve decision-making under pressure.
As the only small, long-range platform in the rotation, Stalker also demonstrated its Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities with multiple roof-top launches, as well as other tactical configurations varying from hard structures to tree lines.
In one sortie during the Force-on-Force period of operations, Stalker’s infrared full-motion video feed provided situational awareness of suspected enemy movement. This intelligence enabled force protection after the brigade fires center called three fires missions on targets identified while the aircraft was airborne. As a result of the data Stalker provided, the “opposing force” was defeated without a single casualty from friendly forces.
Over 100 Named Areas of Interest and targets were captured by Stalker during the 50 hours of flight time—an effort that received praise from the supported force throughout the event. Redwire is proud to have provided the Army National Guard with a long endurance UAS asset that can provide the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance needed to advance mission readiness at home and abroad.
Learn more about Redwire’s Stalker UAS at RDW.com
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