Andrew T. Torrance
VICENZA, Italy — As military technology evolves, so must tactics and organizational structures. Forward observers are the soldiers who serve as the eyes and ears for an infantry platoon. They are uniquely positioned and benefit tremendously from using unmanned aerial systems, leveraging them for faster, more effective targeting.
Providing drones directly to forward observers could significantly improve the speed and efficiency of the kill chain, especially in fast-moving, small unit operations. Swift Response 25 — a multinational exercise held in Lithuania and Latvia — offered several real-world examples where this capability would have enhanced mission outcomes.
During the exercise, paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade operated in dense woodland terrain, often facing visibility challenges. In multiple engagements, forward observers were tasked with locating retreating enemy forces following firefights. Without drone support, their line of sight was severely limited.
Had those observers been equipped with small drones, they could have quickly identified enemy movements beyond natural obstructions, relayed coordinates and initiated indirect fires before opposing forces had time to regroup. A single drone launch could have prevented enemy withdrawal and informed the platoon leader’s next tactical decision.
Under current standard operating procedures across the Army, junior infantry soldiers who lack formal fire support training sometimes find themselves operating a drone. While these operators can locate enemy positions, they must then relay that information to a forward observer — adding time, complexity and potential for miscommunication.
For many, only the operator can see the video feed from UAS platforms currently being tested in Army formations, requiring the user to verbally translate complex targeting data to a forward observer.
Additionally, forward observers are not always collocated with drone operators.
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