FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Army recently ordered a substantial quantity of backpack-sized drones, signifying a significant advancement in its military capabilities as warfare increasingly relies on electronic means.
Global conflicts, especially the war in Ukraine, have fundamentally altered how nations approach warfare, according to drone expert and former U.S. Army intelligence and special operations soldier Brett Velicovich.
The nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine presents a level of devastation unseen since World War II, marked by civilian displacement, widespread destruction, and escalating geopolitical tensions.
Ukraine’s resourceful defense, despite being often outnumbered and outgunned, has revolutionized modern warfare strategies for major nations.
“Consider past warfare,” Velicovich explained, referencing the Vietnam War. “Engaging the enemy across a trench line, you lacked awareness of the terrain beyond. You saw a target and fired.”
“Now, you possess the capability to observe the terrain ahead and swiftly reposition your forces accordingly,” he added.
A recent report revealed that the U.S. Army secured what may be its largest-ever purchase of small surveillance drones from Red Cat Holding’s Teal Drones.
This acquisition represents a substantial step following over a decade of observing the use of small drones by terrorists against U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Velicovich, who regularly advises Ukraine on drone technology, notes that the U.S. lags behind adversaries like Russia and China in drone capabilities.
While the U.S. has invested heavily in sophisticated systems such as Predator and Reaper drones—multimillion-dollar platforms designed for extensive reconnaissance and armed strikes—smaller, more affordable UAVs are reshaping battlefield dynamics.
“These handheld, small UAS systems, capable of carrying explosive payloads, essentially function as guided artillery shells,” Velicovich stated, referring to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “This technology is transforming modern warfare, and the U.S. has been slow to adapt.”
The U.S. Army reportedly took 15 years to significantly expand its Short Range Reconnaissance program with these backpack-sized drones, partly due to resistance within the Department of Defense.
“It’s a matter of mindset among senior leaders,” Velicovich explained. “These are seasoned combat veterans who didn’t grow up with advanced technology.”
“It requires a widespread shift in thinking. The escalating war in Ukraine, however, is accelerating this change, highlighting drones’ effectiveness,” he said, emphasizing that drones are no longer futuristic concepts.
“It’s real. The future is here,” Velicovich stated. “Future warfare will inevitably incorporate drones.”
Teal Drones collaborated with the U.S. Army to develop a UAS system tailored to battlefield requirements, resulting in the Black Widow drone, according to Red Cat CEO Jeff Thompson.
This advanced system is single-operator controlled, resistant to Russian jammers, has strike capabilities, and operates effectively in GPS-denied environments—a critical factor highlighted by the war in Ukraine.
“The Short Range Reconnaissance drone will enhance warfighter lethality and safety,” Thompson said.
The U.S. Army approved the purchase of nearly 12,000 drones. Each soldier will receive a “system” comprising two drones and a controller, all fitting within a rucksack.
Each system costs the U.S. government approximately $45,000.
However, as Johnson pointed out, Ukraine’s armed forces are experiencing rapid drone consumption, suggesting the U.S. will likely require far more than 12,000 drones.
The war in Ukraine demonstrates that affordable drones, particularly FPV (first-person view) drones, costing as little as $1,000, can be effectively employed as kamikaze drones with explosive payloads.
Drone warfare, however, transcends mere quantity; it’s a power struggle.
“It’s a cat-and-mouse game,” Velicovich explained, noting the continuous evolution of drone and counter-drone technologies, such as jamming systems. “This dynamic is unfolding at a level most people don’t realize.”
“It’s as if we’re observing the future,” he continued. “The events in Ukraine offer a preview of future conflicts, and we must prepare accordingly.”