Overview
- Ukrainian unmanned teams from the 412th Regiment repeatedly detected and simulated strikes on U.S. armored units during the Combined Resolve exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, in April and May 2026.
- Operators used small reconnaissance drones to find vehicles and then followed with explosive‑carrying and first‑person‑view attack drones to adjudicate “kills” in the simulated fights.
- U.S. forces were forced to repeatedly replace destroyed vehicles to keep the drill running and a participant briefed on the exercise said an entire U.S. armored brigade was adjudicated out of the scenario.
- The U.S. Army adjusted tactics over successive runs by dispersing forces, improving concealment and using electronic‑warfare tools, and the Ukrainians later switched sides to train U.S. troops in drone employment.
- Defense leaders have increased personnel studying Ukrainian drone tactics and are testing Ukrainian systems for possible purchase, a move that could change training, doctrine and procurement for U.S. heavy forces.