The U.S. Army establishes the Future and Autonomous Systems Command and plans to incorporate autonomous systems into combat units by 2028

The picture shows a "Hunter Wolf" unmanned vehicle of the 101st Airborne Division participating in the exercise. (DVIDS)

[Reporter Wu Zheyu/Comprehensive Report] The U.S. Army is preparing to significantly transform its future force structure and formally establish the "Future and Autonomous Systems Command" (FASCOM). The goal is no longer just to test drones and robots sporadically, but to directly integrate autonomous systems into armor, artillery, aviation, engineering and logistics forces, and requires priority capabilities to enter combat units no later than the 2028 fiscal year.

The military news website reported that Acting U.S. Army Secretary Adam R. Telle signed a memorandum on the establishment of FASCOM on October 2, and also required adjustments to the force structure, weapons procurement and personnel systems. FASCOM will integrate technology research and development, procurement and force design to transform autonomous systems from "experimental equipment" to fixed force establishments.

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The reform covers at least six major areas: aviation, armor, firepower, logistics, engineering and training. In the future, armored forces can send ground robots to scout or clear routes first; artillery can use autonomous aircraft to serve as forward sensors; aviation forces can send unmanned systems dozens of kilometers in front of helicopters to search for or even attack enemy forces.

The report pointed out that the U.S. Army will also set up an "autonomous system project procurement director" to coordinate autonomous firepower, autonomous combat vehicles, unmanned supply ships, robotic obstacle breaches, as well as reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities, and list "manned-unmanned collaboration" as a core project.

Related technologies have actually begun to be verified. In February this year, the AH-64E "Apache" launched the ALTIUS 700 medium-range weapon. This type of small autonomous aircraft can perform reconnaissance, electronic warfare or kinetic energy strikes depending on the payload. In June, the UH-60M "Black Hawk" also successfully launched and controlled multiple medium-range flying weapons, allowing the helicopter to send sensors and weapons forward without going deep into high-threat areas.

Logistics is also becoming unmanned. The U.S. Army has purchased the "Joint Autonomous Air Supply System" this year to airlift supplies for dispersed troops; another six companies have participated in the "Infantry Last Mile Tactical Supply" project, using ground robots to perform ammunition supply, casualty evacuation and communication network extension.

The report pointed out that the development of autonomous systems is not simply to replace soldiers with machines, but to allow a force to use more sensors, vehicles and weapons at the same time without increasing the risk of personnel exposure. The Army has even created a new robotics technician category and is preparing to expand its tactical unmanned aerial systems professionals.