Drones in infantry units don't replace closing with and destroying the enemy.
This observation about light infantry (or any infantry fighting on foot) is important:
Our weapons, night-vision goggles (NVGs), communications, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), optics, lasers, and small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) give us advantages in close-range direct engagements, but they DO NOT replace the need for fundamental fighting skills. Technology serves to enhance our capabilities as we execute FUNDAMENTALS better and faster than the enemy. Don’t think for a minute that technical improvements will ever replace the need for a strong foundation in drills at the team and squad levels. I expect NCOs and company-grade officers to drive this development within their training plans regardless of branch, unit, or mission. Up-close direct fire engagements and fighting is a historical strength of the American Warrior. [emphasis removed]
Technology advances and we keep hoping that infantry is no longer needed. But that hope is wrong.
We will always need trigger pullers. And while drones are useful, if they are pushed down to even squads making each of them a mini-Army air corps, who is left to close with and destroy the enemy?
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NOTE: Image from the article.
