A recent combat training exercise involving U.S. and Ukrainian forces has highlighted both the challenges and adaptability of armored vehicles in modern, drone-heavy warfare. On April 15, U.S. Army Capt. Allan W. Watson, commander of Blackhawk Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, wrote in an op-ed for Task and Purpose about a simulated battle at the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany. The exercise pitted Watson’s troops against the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, with support from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Force’s 412 Regiment, known as "Nemesis."**
The training revealed how persistent drone surveillance exposed armored movements, increasing risks to combat vehicles. However, Watson noted that his soldiers adapted by altering their tactics, including concealing vehicles in terrain features, avoiding predictable routes, and accounting for overhead drone surveillance. The exercise underscored the need for flexible, adaptive strategies when operating in environments dominated by unmanned aerial systems.
Core Findings from the Exercise
Watson’s troops faced real-time drone tracking during the simulated battle, which exposed their movements and placed armored vehicles at heightened risk. The Ukrainian "Nemesis" unit, leveraging combat experience in drone warfare, provided a demanding test for the U.S. soldiers. Reconnaissance drones were used to monitor their positions, and the American forces lacked the counter-drone capabilities they had anticipated.
In response, Watson’s soldiers modified their approach to using armored vehicles. They hid their M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles in gullies and wooded areas, exploited terrain to mask maneuvers, and avoided routes they knew Ukrainian forces would expect. "More than once," Watson wrote, "I found myself standing sideways in the turret of our Bradley, barking orders as our platoons traversed 40-degree slopes, finding new routes to an objective." Despite these adaptations, he acknowledged that the enemy still located their positions, requiring traditional ground reconnaissance and infiltration techniques to close in.
Broader Implications for Armored Warfare
The exercise reflects ongoing debates among military officials and experts about the vulnerability of armored vehicles in drone-saturated battlefields. While drones pose significant threats to exposed armor, the training demonstrated that armored vehicles can still survive and contribute to combat operations if troops adapt their tactics. The experience emphasized the importance of terrain exploitation, unpredictability, and integrated counter-drone measures.
Watson’s op-ed did not call for a complete overhaul of armored doctrine but rather highlighted the need for continuous adaptation and training. The exercise served as a practical demonstration of how modern warfare demands flexibility, with soldiers learning to operate under persistent surveillance and adjust their strategies in real time. The lessons from Hohenfels are expected to inform future training and operational planning for U.S. armored units.
Context and Background
The April exercise at Hohenfels was designed to simulate high-intensity combat conditions, incorporating lessons from recent conflicts where drones have played a decisive role. The inclusion of the Ukrainian "Nemesis" unit provided U.S. soldiers with direct exposure to drone tactics used in real-world engagements. This collaboration reflects broader efforts to integrate allied expertise into U.S. military training programs.
Experts have long debated the role of drones in modern warfare, with some arguing that they render traditional armor obsolete, while others contend that armor remains viable with the right adaptations. The Hohenfels exercise offered a case study in how troops can mitigate drone threats through tactical adjustments, though it also revealed the persistent challenges of operating under constant aerial surveillance.