Overview
- More than 200 soldiers competed Feb. 17–19 in Huntsville across Best Operator, Best Tactical Squad and Best Innovation, with 1st Cavalry Division taking Best Operator, 2nd Cavalry Regiment winning Best Tactical Squad, and Pennsylvania’s 28th Infantry Division earning Best Innovation.
- The 28th ID’s Project R.E.D. uses AI object recognition and a 3D‑printed carbon‑fiber claw to locate and recover downed friendly or enemy drones for repair or intelligence exploitation.
- The winning innovation team received an Army Research Laboratory drone prototype and a one‑year R&D agreement to help refine ARL designs.
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he aims to position the service to buy about one million drones within 18–24 months as drones are treated more like expendable munitions.
- Driscoll and Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill said a new soldier‑facing drone marketplace is planned for next month, with products rated and reviewed by troops to spur competition and lower costs.