Episode 106 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast examines how drones, robotics, and automation are changing the battlefield in Ukraine and how ARSOF has adapted.
Our guests begin by outlining the significance of robotics and autonomous systems on the Ukrainian battlefield. From there, they delve into how US Special Operations formations are learning from Ukraine and changing their own formations. Finally, they end with a deep dive on how SOF forces have used drones in the past and how that compares to the modern fight and look at what changes SOF, industry and the US government may have to make to keep pace with the changing character of war.
Dr. Jack Watling is a Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. He works closely with the British military on the development of concepts of operation, assessments of the future operating environment, and conducts operational analysis of contemporary conflicts. Dr. Watling has worked extensively on Ukraine, Iraq, Yemen, Mali, Rwanda, and further afield, and has written several books including his most recent publication: The Arms of the Future: Technology and Close Combat in the Twenty-First Century.
Lieutenant Colonel Erik Davis is an active duty Army officer with over sixteen years of experience in special operations. He is also a Gen. Wayne A. Downing Scholar with master’s degrees from King’s College London and the London School of Economics. His assignments have taken him from village stability operations in rural Afghanistan to preparing for high-end conflict in the First Island Chain.
Matthew Moellering and Alisa Laufer are the hosts for this episode. Please reach out to Matt with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
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Alex says
Great episode. However – would love to hear more discussion (maybe in a future episode?) about UGVs and the land domain of drone usage, and not just UAVs and aerial systems – given the land systems side of the drone market has lagged the aerial domain, and both will be important in future conflicts to ensure all-domain dominance.