The US Army is investing heavily in drones and electronic warfare, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and calling for greater budget flexibility.
The US Army plans to invest heavily in drones, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare in its next budget, according to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. Lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, including Russia’s evolving electronic warfare capabilities, have pushed the US Army to adopt more agile strategies to rapidly develop and deploy critical technologies. The budget will also require greater flexibility to better respond to rapidly evolving technologies, avoiding being locked into rigid long-term investments.
A focus on drones and counter-drones
In its next budget, the US Army will be investing heavily in drone and counter-drone technology, a crucial area in modern warfare. These investments are partly influenced by the lessons learned in Ukraine, where drones played a central role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces used drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and even military strikes. This development has shown that mastery of drones is essential for any modern army.
For example, the US Army has signed a $75 million contract to buy several hundred Coyote counter-drone systems. These systems are designed to detect, identify and neutralise enemy drones, thereby reducing the threat they pose to troops on the ground. The Coyote system, produced by RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), uses drones themselves to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, an innovative solution in the defence sector.
By integrating these technologies into its arsenal, the US Army aims to strengthen its defence capabilities against emerging threats and prepare for wars in which autonomous drones will play an increasingly important role. In addition, by developing its own drones, the Army also hopes to increase its effectiveness on the battlefield, particularly in terms of reconnaissance and precision attacks.
The rapid development of electronic warfare technologies
The role of electronic warfare in modern warfare has evolved considerably, and the US Army is well aware of this. Christine Wormuth pointed out that Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities, as seen in Ukraine, have made worrying progress. These technologies can jam communications, disrupt navigation systems and even interfere with drones. For the US Army, it is therefore crucial to monitor these developments and develop effective countermeasures.
The US Army’s budget for the coming year will place particular emphasis on the development of electronic warfare capabilities. This includes systems capable of detecting and neutralising enemy signals while protecting the Army’s own communications. Flexibility in the allocation of funds will enable a rapid response to the evolution of these technologies. For example, instead of focusing on a specific product, the US Army will be able to adjust its priorities according to immediate operational needs.
Modern electronic warfare systems are essential for ensuring information superiority on the battlefield. By disrupting enemy communications and protecting its own networks, the US Army can not only improve its military operations, but also limit enemy actions. The ongoing development of these technologies is therefore a strategic imperative if we are to maintain our advantage against technologically well-equipped adversaries such as Russia.
Towards a new, more flexible budgetary approach
One of the major challenges facing the US Army is the need for budgetary flexibility in order to be able to adapt quickly to technological change. Wormuth and General Randy George, the Army’s Chief of Staff, have both stressed that military technologies are evolving at such a pace that it is dangerous to commit to investments that are too rigid over the long term. This is particularly true in the fields of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electronic warfare, where new systems are constantly being developed.
At present, military budgets are often divided into several specific funding lines, each dedicated to a particular product or programme. This rigid structure can limit the army’s ability to react quickly to changing threats or to integrate new technologies. Wormuth proposed a different approach, involving the creation of more flexible funding pools, dedicated to specific capabilities rather than specific products. This strategy would enable the most relevant technologies to be deployed more quickly, without being constrained by rigid budget lines.
However, this flexible approach faces a number of obstacles. The US Congress, which controls the military budget, has historically been sceptical about so-called ‘contingency funds’, which are often perceived as ‘discretionary funds’. This scepticism is linked to past abuses, notably during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where contingency funds were often used for unplanned expenditure.
The strategic challenges of this new budgetary flexibility
Adopting a more flexible budget model would enable the US Army to adapt more quickly to emerging threats and take better advantage of technological advances. This would enable the Army to accelerate the development and deployment of new capabilities without being constrained by rigid budget lines. This approach would also facilitate joint cooperation and the integration of technologies between the different branches of the US armed forces.
For example, in the fight against drones, more agile and flexible technologies would enable a better response to the specific threats encountered in the field. Military requirements vary according to the theatre of operation and the adversary, and a rigid budgetary approach would not allow resources to be adapted to operational priorities in real time.
If Congress adopts this approach, it could constitute a precedent for the future management of military budgets, particularly in sectors where technological innovation is rapid and crucial. Concrete evidence of the effectiveness of this budgetary flexibility will be needed to convince legislators. Wormuth is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of adopting this method, stressing that the US Army will have to prove that it can use this flexibility effectively.
A budget for the future of modern warfare
The US Army’s next budget reflects a clear commitment to adapting the armed forces to the technological challenges of modern warfare. By focusing on drones, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare, the Army is learning from recent wars, particularly in Ukraine. This adaptation also requires a change in the way the budget is managed, with greater flexibility to react quickly to changing threats.
If Congress accedes to these demands, the US Army could become more agile and effective, ready to face future conflicts with cutting-edge technologies and a budgetary approach adapted to the era of rapid innovation.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.