Overview
- The Army named Sgt. Javon Purcher Best Drone Operator, Staff Sgt. Angel Caliz and Spc. Jonah Burks Best Tactical Squad, and a 28th Infantry Division team Best Innovation at the Feb. 17–19 event in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Teams faced three lanes that tested FPV racing, a hunter‑killer tactical mission using non‑kinetic target nets, and a Shark Tank‑style innovation showcase.
- Officials described the event as a talent‑management exercise, signaling a shift to dedicated drone operator roles and noting communication breakdowns as a key training gap in the tactical lane.
- Soldier‑led innovation featured Project R.E.D., which uses AI object recognition and a robotic claw to recover downed drones, alongside bring‑your‑own, 3D‑printed builds informed by lessons from Ukraine.
- Leaders plan to add kinetic elements and electronic‑warfare jamming in future competitions, and reporting says winners received an Army Research Lab drone prototype plus a one‑year R&D agreement.