FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WKRN) — The 101st Airborne Division has been working hard every day to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to fighting the enemy. One way they’re doing that is through their “Transformation in Combat” initiative.
Drone technology is one type of technology Fort Campbell soldiers continue to perfect. Soldiers are now able to build unmanned aircraft themselves, and repair parts that may get damaged during combat, thanks to 3D printers.
“What it really means is that the squad on the ground — who has these systems internal to them, who’s operating these systems — can find the enemy without putting a soldier necessarily in harm’s way,” Captain John Norton with the White Currahee 2506 infantry said. “When they go down, if they hit something and they’re broken, we have that first-hand knowledge of, ‘Hey, I think this is probably what’s wrong with it because I put it together.’ The other part of it is being able to rapidly repair them [drpones] and having that knowledge internal to the unit as opposed to trying to get support elsewhere from a third party.”
The knowledge of how to repair technology can come in handy, especially when in remote areas of the world. The power packed by these drones might surprise you.
“Some of the larger systems, which we have out here today — not too large, still small, unmanned aircraft — can go one kilometer or more to identify that next enemy-fighting position,” Norton said.
Fort Campbell also continues to perfect its radio capabilities. Soldiers have the ability to operate multiple frequencies, even when remote. They also work to remain undetectable. One of the ways they do that is by installing nets throughout the camp that help conceal their electronic footprint.
“I think we have to continue to innovate [and] continue to employ these systems effectively and train soldiers on these systems,” Norton said.
