The US military is carrying out initiatives to strengthen and equip dismounted troops, namely infantry squads, special forces, mortar teams, snipers, and reconnaissance units. Recent announcements for the acquisition of portable loitering munitions and drones must be placed in the proper context of a wider strategy.
In late January, the Apex defense expo took place in Washington, DC. A Military Analyst at the Close Combat Lethality Task Force gave a short briefing about the only joint task force within the US military “singularly focused on increasing lethality of joint close combat units.” Specifically, the Task Force assists the previously mentioned dismounted units. Until the end of fiscal year 2028, the Task Force will have four priorities:
- a. prolong casualty care – hemorrhage is the leading cause of death on the battlefield
- b. increase and standardize robotic and autonomous system training for warfighters
- c. small lethal aerial systems – squads need an organic, portable 1-way attack platform with modular payloads
- d. mortar modernization – more mobility, range, and lethality
- I have previously written about mortar modernization for Shephard. However, there are developments in other areas.
Embracing portable drone technology
The US Army and US Marines are working to adapt new technologies; hence, training on new hardware and software is another priority for the Combat Lethality Task Force. These programs include training and adopting uncrewed systems, counter-UAS solutions, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence-powered command and control systems, among others.
Adopting portable, uncrewed aerial systems for dismounted troops is a natural objective. For example, the US Army has the Short Range Reconnaissance Program, which involves deploying small UASs for dismounted units for reconnaissance operations. However, the Combat Lethality Task Force is particularly focused on one-way kamikaze drones that squads and special forces can carry, such as small, easy-to-transport loitering munitions and drones (including first-person-view systems) capable of carrying lethal payloads.
Both the US Army and US Marines are certainly interested in this objective. In February, AeroVironment, producer of loitering munitions, announced a US$186 million contract for the US Army for the delivery of an undisclosed number of Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) loitering munition systems. The Switchblade 300 is easily portable, as the entire system weighs only 3.27 kg, including the payload, launcher, and transport bag.
Similarly, Anduril has won a US$23.9 million contract to deliver more than 600 Bolt-M loitering munitions systems to the US Marines, as part of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program. Deliveries commenced in February.
Back in December 2025, the US Department of Defense issued a request for information to industries about “to gauge industry’s willingness and ability to make some 300,000 drones quickly and inexpensively.” The statement mentions they will include “lethal drones,” but the term “portable” is not mentioned. However, we can assume that it is one of the Department’s objectives.
Saving the frontline warfighter
Treating combat wounds on the front lines deserves more attention. Often, there is no time to transport wounded troops back to a fully equipped medical location. The situation is even more challenging for special forces and units engaged in covert operations, which means that they operate deep behind enemy lines.
Aaron Epstein, MD, a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Contractor for the Irregular Warfare Center, recently published a great analysis on this topic, titled “Build from the Shadows, Not the System – Disruptive Medicine for Denied Battlespaces: A Grounded Framework for Irregular and Clandestine Warfare.”
In his analysis, Dr. Epstein argues that “there is a flawed assumption that trauma systems, normally deployed by large conventional force units or small Special Operations Surgical Teams (SOSTs) can be scaled, synchronized, or surgically inserted across irregular, austere, or clandestine environments.” In other words, frontline doctors assigned to special forces cannot possibly have access to all the tools and support that conventional forces have.
In denied battlespaces, mobility is a challenge, and treating a wounded warfighter is even more challenging on the modern battlefield, where drones and satellites provide the enemy with even greater surveillance capabilities. “Medical targets are extremely high-value and if detected, would likely be on the receiving end of a high-priority, prompt strike capability,” Epstein noted.
The SME explains that a more suitable strategy is to embrace the chaos and adopt “decentralized, low-signature methods that can function without external support,” such as hidden, pre-positioned medical caches and fostering a preventive medical culture.
Drones can be a game-changer not just in warfare but also in providing medical assistance to frontline troops. During exercise Swift Response 2025, US medics from the 173rd Airborne Brigade utilized drones to transport blood supplies to treat combat wounds. In other words, drones can not only transport lethal payloads, but also life-saving equipment.
The development and sale of heavy military systems, such as main battle tanks, frigates, or helicopters, tend to make headlines. However, it is equally important to note the development of new technologies and strategies for dismounted troops.
You may also like FIDAE 2026: L3Harris wants to discuss Viper Shield EW with F-16 operators
