The U.S. Army has ordered the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s drone-focused battalion to disband its specialized unit and return to traditional infantry operations, according to multiple anonymous U.S. officials and reports from The Wall Street Journal.
The Unmanned Assault Battalion, established in November 2025, was designed to study and deploy drone warfare tactics, particularly lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict and recent engagements involving Iranian drones in the Middle East. The unit, composed of 600 soldiers, had been conducting drills and developing its own drone capabilities. However, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of staff, has directed the battalion to refocus on its core airborne infantry mission, effective immediately.
Why the change?
The decision follows a broader restructuring of the Army under LaNeve, who became the top uniformed leader in April 2026 after the sudden removal of Gen. Randy George, the former Army chief of staff. Multiple current and former officials cited tensions between senior officers who had championed the drone unit and LaNeve’s leadership. The Wall Street Journal first reported the reversal, which comes as the battalion prepares to conclude a multi-month exercise in September 2026, where it was set to share its findings with Army leadership.
Context and implications
The Ukraine war has demonstrated the growing importance of drones in modern warfare, with both sides relying heavily on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and strikes. The Iran-Israel conflict further underscored the need for U.S. forces to adapt to drone-centric threats, as Iran deployed one-way attack drones against military targets in the Middle East. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Europe, had been positioned as a rapid-response unit for drone operations, capable of deploying anywhere drones were required.
An Army official confirmed to CBS News that after the current exercise, the unit will transition back to its original role as an airborne infantry battalion, trained in parachute operations. The battalion remains part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, which is headquartered in Vicenza, Italy.
The move reflects a shift in Army priorities, though it does not eliminate the broader effort to integrate drone warfare into military doctrine. The Army has not yet announced alternative plans for specialized drone units, leaving open questions about how the service will address emerging unmanned warfare challenges moving forward.