Will the Army need nearly as many FPV drones for support for close combat when it has automated precision firepower for its companies?
FPV drones aren't the only way to deliver small warheads with precision on the battlefield:
When responding to a call for fire, mortar crews have to verbally yell out deflection, charge, and elevation before dropping a round in the tube, but a new mortar system being developed for the Army and Marine Corps could automate much of that process.
The Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system allows crews to use a map-like device to digitally enter the information needed to hit targets, and then the tube is moved into firing position automatically[.]
Once, the Mk. I eyeball and experience provided platoons with well-aimed fire support. I went into discussing how precision was being pushed down the table of organization. Now, mobile and automated precision gets to the company level. Put it in a Black Box of Effects and I'll be happy.
I think long counter-insurgencies interrupted this trend when we faced bigger problems than the need for speed in Army organic fire support for troops in contact. And in Ukraine, FPV drones filled the need in the absence of other capabilities.
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NOTE: Photo from the article.
