A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on Army leadership to provide an explanation for an order directing a European-based military unit to cease its specialization in drone warfare operations. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, which comprised approximately 600 soldiers and was established in November to deploy where drone expertise was needed, had been building its own unmanned systems and developing tactics modeled on approaches used by Ukraine and Iran.
The lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, independent Senator Angus King of Maine, and Republican Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, sent a letter to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and General Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of staff, requesting details about the decision. They expressed concern that eliminating the specialized unit would reduce opportunities to learn from allied forces and impede modernization efforts at a pace competitive with evolving battlefield conditions.
General LaNeve recently ordered the battalion to refocus on its traditional airborne infantry mission. This directive came after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the previous Army chief of staff, General Randy George, in April. George had championed drone integration into Army operations and championed rapid development of unmanned systems for regular soldier use. Army Secretary Driscoll, who had supported these initiatives and worked to streamline contractor processes for drone development, submitted his resignation this week after tensions with Hegseth were widely reported.
The lawmakers indicated they wanted to understand the analytical basis and process underlying the decision, made after the drone unit had operated for less than a year, and sought clarification on whether the change reflected Pentagon-level guidance or was determined internally by Army leadership. They signaled support for the transformative initiatives pursued under Driscoll’s tenure and expressed a desire to see such momentum continue despite changes in military leadership.
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