military

U.S. Army moves to end drone battalion set up to absorb lessons from Ukraine war

Updated on: August 20, 2026 / 8:08 PM EDT / CBS News

U.S. Army moves to end drone battalion set up to absorb lessons from Ukraine war

TL;DR

  • The U.S. Army is phasing out the Unmanned Assault Battalion, created to study drone warfare and incorporate lessons from conflicts like the Ukraine war.
  • The decision is linked to leadership changes and reported personal disagreements between the acting chief of staff and former senior officers who established the unit.
  • The Ukraine war has underscored the critical importance of drones in contemporary warfare.
  • The Unmanned Assault Battalion is currently participating in an exercise to share its findings before being dissolved and its soldiers reverting to airborne infantry roles.
  • Some experts and military personnel believe the U.S. needs to further integrate and prioritize drones in its future military strategy.