Inside the US Army's Pacific war prep, from unfamiliar aircraft landings to drone warfare
That includes flying and landing aircraft in unfamiliar locations in varying western Pacific weather.
Keeping troops alive in the environment and giving them the latest drones is also key.
Out in the islands of the western Pacific, the US Army and a strategic ally are landing aircraft in places they don't know, testing new drones and sensors, and trying to keep soldiers hidden in the electromagnetic spectrum.
The training is focused on adapting to the quickening pace of innovation on the battlefield, a general told Business Insider.
In the Philippines, soldiers from Hawaii's 25th Infantry Division are conducting their annual Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center- Exportable exercise. The division and its Philippine counterparts, about 2,000 personnel, are preparing for the possibility of a conflict in the Pacific.
The threat of a war with China is at the forefront of US military thinking about the region.
The environment poses the biggest challenge. This area is largely tropical, mostly water with islands scattered about. Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, commander of the division, said temperatures are high and soldiers are grappling with the rain, wind, and humidity from monsoon season. These environmental factors are impacting how drones operate and how troops sustain themselves.
The exercise stretches across land, air, and sea, among other combat domains, and the operations are testing soldiers. "Each and every day, they are having to fly in varying terrain to different helicopter landing zones working around the different weather patterns," Evans said of the air operations. Some pilots are flying in temperatures and landing on terrain with which they are unfamiliar.
On the ground, troops are learning to drive infantry squad vehicles that can move over sand and through jungles. The vehicles carry everything soldiers will need when they're alone in the environment — more water, food, and power are priorities. At an exercise last year, troops were given bottled water. Now, they're working with a purification system that allows them to draw water from rivers and streams.
Among the weapons they're working with are emerging technologies like drones, which come with challenges. They're flying shorter distances and for less time due to the temperature and weather.
Soldiers are also working with counter-uncrewed aerial systems, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities, and technology to help obscure or hide signatures from enemies. Much of it is a glimpse at what soldiers would need in the future war.
The exercise is a sort of stress-test, not just not on the vehicles, aircraft, weapons, and systems, but also the individual soldier. They're operating the drones across formations, using counter-UAS systems to defeat enemy drones, and looking at the electromagnetic spectrum to keep hidden.
It's also an opportunity for troops to innovate from the bottom up. Warfare technology is moving at breakneck speeds — urging, as Evans said, the need to be more agile in employing them but also knowing the threats and how to defend against them.
He told BI about one soldier who was flying a first-person view drone. They used a medium-range reconnaissance drone to "serve as a pathfinder," effectively navigating the FPV drone behind the reconnaissance one to have a better sense of the battlefield and get in a position to strike enemy targets.
"No one had talked to him about [that], trained him on [it], but he was innovating with the equipment that he was given," Evans said.
In Evans' view, having the soldiers out there working with and learning from the Philippine Army is crucial. "The longer we stay in the field, the more things that we can stress, the more things we test out and understand the true limitations in this kind of harsh environment," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
A Ukrainian weapons maker is building a new unjammable drone with a 100-kilometer reach. It says 'the war has changed.'
A Ukrainian company says it's developing a new fiber-optic drone with a range of up to 100 kilometers. This would be a major upgrade for what has emerged as one of the most important weapons in the war. Fiber-optic FPV drones are immune to electronic warfare tactics, making them particularly deadly. A Ukrainian company is developing an unjammable fiber-optic drone that can roam nearly 100 kilometers from its operator — more than doubling the reach of current models — in a bid to radically extend the reach of one of the war's most feared weapons. The co-founder of Fold, who asked to only be identified as Volodymyr for security reasons, told Business Insider that the range upgrade is essential as Ukraine races to match a battlefield that shifts by the day and punishes anything that can't keep up. "Today, war has changed," Volodymyr said in emailed remarks. The high-value targets are farther away from the front lines than they used to be, making it imperative that drones have the reach. Fiber-optic drones are regular first-person-view (FPV) drones — small, commercially available quadcopters that can cost as little as a few hundred dollars and carry a large enough explosive payload to destroy a multimillion-dollar tank. However, instead of a radio frequency connection between the drone and its operator, fiber-optic drones are fitted with spools of long, thin cables to preserve a steady link. This makes them practically immune to electronic warfare tactics and especially dangerous in combat. For soldiers, the only real hope of stopping an unjammable drone is with a shotgun. There's a lot of luck in that kind of defense. With no reliable solutions to defend against fiber-optic drones, which can deliver precision strikes, they are emerging as a weapon of choice for Ukraine and Russia. Production is ramping up, and cables are now stretching across the battlefield, glistening in the sun like spider webs, as combat videos have shown. Fold is one of many Ukrainian companies working on fiber-optic drones for the country's armed forces. The firm started out building drones with a 5-kilometer range, but has since extended this to 15 and up to 25 kilometers — relatively standard distances. Volodymyr said this "first generation" of fiber-optic drones was more relevant last year when enemy positions were closer, sometimes even visible with the naked eye, at a distance of several kilometers. He said the front lines now look different from earlier in the conflict. Opposing troop positions have moved farther away from each other, creating a large gap — or a "gray zone" — that serves as a graveyard for tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers. Important and expensive military equipment is harder to reach. "The flight range of 10-15 kilometers is often insufficient to destroy large enemy targets," Volodymyr said. He added that fiber-optic drones able to fly beyond 30 kilometers are more relevant at this stage in the war, and Fold is working on these kinds of drones, including some with ranges of 40 and 50 kilometers. Samuel Bendett, a drone expert and an advisor in the Russia studies program at the Center for Naval Analyses, a US research institution, told Business Insider that both Russia and Ukraine are working on 40-kilometer fiber-optic spools, noting "there is evidence at the front that such strikes are already taking place." But Fold is aiming farther than this. The company has initiated the research and development process of a second generation of fiber-optic drones, and it plans to launch drones with a range between 50 and 100 kilometers within the next few months. Bendett said "longer distances are certainly achievable," but they will depend on the skill of drone pilots and other factors. It is nearly certain, he added, that the ambitious range extensions will come with considerable technical and environmental challenges. One of the biggest vulnerabilities of fiber-optic drones is their cables, which can get easily snagged or tangled on the battlefield — either through enemy action or accident. The expanded ranges will require much longer coils than previous variants, potentially making drones more susceptible to hang-ups. An official familiar with warfighting innovations in Ukraine, who spoke to Business Insider on the condition of anonymity to discuss this technology, said that longer cables raise the risk that the drone will encounter more obstacles on its path that could damage it. The longer cables needed to satisfy the expanded range also add to the drone's weight, which could force developers to reduce the size of its combat payload, ultimately making the weapon less deadly and reducing its combat effectiveness. The official said the extended-range drones will require larger frames to support the added weight. This could drive up costs and make the drones less nimble on the battlefield. Volodymyr acknowledges the challenges in fielding this kind of technology. However, there are potential engineering workarounds, and he said the extended range will not compromise the drone's resistance to electronic warfare, the priority with this tech. "That is exactly how we made it. This was the main goal of our development (or invention)," he stressed. It's unclear whether other Ukrainian companies are trying to expand the range of their drones as far as Fold hopes, but fiber-optic drone manufacturing continues to be a major focus of Kyiv's defense industry as cheap, uncrewed aerial systems prove their unrelenting dominance on the battlefield. "Conventional small arms are no longer as relevant as they were in the past," Volodymyr said. "Shooting from rifles and machine guns is often useless. The bullets simply do not reach the enemy." Fiber-optic drones "play a very important role in eliminating attacks (assaults)," he said, referring to Russian mechanized infantry and armored assaults on Ukrainian posts. "They destroy enemy armored vehicles and personnel on distant approaches — tens of kilometers from the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where small arms cannot reach." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
11 hours ago
- Business Insider
A Ukrainian weapons maker is building a new unjammable drone with a 100-kilometer reach. It says 'the war has changed.'
A Ukrainian company is developing an unjammable fiber-optic drone that can roam nearly 100 kilometers from its operator — more than doubling the reach of current models — in a bid to radically extend the reach of one of the war's most feared weapons. The co-founder of Fold, who asked to only be identified as Volodymyr for security reasons, told Business Insider that the range upgrade is essential as Ukraine races to match a battlefield that shifts by the day and punishes anything that can't keep up. "Today, war has changed," Volodymyr said in emailed remarks. The high-value targets are farther away from the front lines than they used to be, making it imperative that drones have the reach. Fiber-optic drones are regular first-person-view (FPV) drones — small, commercially available quadcopters that can cost as little as a few hundred dollars and carry a large enough explosive payload to destroy a multimillion-dollar tank. However, instead of a radio frequency connection between the drone and its operator, fiber-optic drones are fitted with spools of long, thin cables to preserve a steady link. This makes them practically immune to electronic warfare tactics and especially dangerous in combat. For soldiers, the only real hope of stopping an unjammable drone is with a shotgun. There's a lot of luck in that kind of defense. With no reliable solutions to defend against fiber-optic drones, which can deliver precision strikes, they are emerging as a weapon of choice for Ukraine and Russia. Production is ramping up, and cables are now stretching across the battlefield, glistening in the sun like spider webs, as combat videos have shown. Fold is one of many Ukrainian companies working on fiber-optic drones for the country's armed forces. The firm started out building drones with a 5-kilometer range, but has since extended this to 15 and up to 25 kilometers — relatively standard distances. Volodymyr said this "first generation" of fiber-optic drones was more relevant last year when enemy positions were closer, sometimes even visible with the naked eye, at a distance of several kilometers. He said the front lines now look different from earlier in the conflict. Opposing troop positions have moved farther away from each other, creating a large gap — or a "gray zone" — that serves as a graveyard for tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers. Important and expensive military equipment is harder to reach. "The flight range of 10-15 kilometers is often insufficient to destroy large enemy targets," Volodymyr said. He added that fiber-optic drones able to fly beyond 30 kilometers are more relevant at this stage in the war, and Fold is working on these kinds of drones, including some with ranges of 40 and 50 kilometers. Samuel Bendett, a drone expert and an advisor in the Russia studies program at the Center for Naval Analyses, a US research institution, told Business Insider that both Russia and Ukraine are working on 40-kilometer fiber-optic spools, noting "there is evidence at the front that such strikes are already taking place." But Fold is aiming farther than this. The company has initiated the research and development process of a second generation of fiber-optic drones, and it plans to launch drones with a range between 50 and 100 kilometers within the next few months. Bendett said "longer distances are certainly achievable," but they will depend on the skill of drone pilots and other factors. It is nearly certain, he added, that the ambitious range extensions will come with considerable technical and environmental challenges. One of the biggest vulnerabilities of fiber-optic drones is their cables, which can get easily snagged or tangled on the battlefield — either through enemy action or accident. The expanded ranges will require much longer coils than previous variants, potentially making drones more susceptible to hang-ups. An official familiar with warfighting innovations in Ukraine, who spoke to Business Insider on the condition of anonymity to discuss this technology, said that longer cables raise the risk that the drone will encounter more obstacles on its path that could damage it. The longer cables needed to satisfy the expanded range also add to the drone's weight, which could force developers to reduce the size of its combat payload, ultimately making the weapon less deadly and reducing its combat effectiveness. The official said the extended-range drones will require larger frames to support the added weight. This could drive up costs and make the drones less nimble on the battlefield. Volodymyr acknowledges the challenges in fielding this kind of technology. However, there are potential engineering workarounds, and he said the extended range will not compromise the drone's resistance to electronic warfare, the priority with this tech. "That is exactly how we made it. This was the main goal of our development (or invention)," he stressed. It's unclear whether other Ukrainian companies are trying to expand the range of their drones as far as Fold hopes, but fiber-optic drone manufacturing continues to be a major focus of Kyiv's defense industry as cheap, uncrewed aerial systems prove their unrelenting dominance on the battlefield. "Conventional small arms are no longer as relevant as they were in the past," Volodymyr said. "Shooting from rifles and machine guns is often useless. The bullets simply do not reach the enemy." Fiber-optic drones "play a very important role in eliminating attacks (assaults)," he said, referring to Russian mechanized infantry and armored assaults on Ukrainian posts. "They destroy enemy armored vehicles and personnel on distant approaches — tens of kilometers from the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where small arms cannot reach."
Business Insider
13 hours ago
- Business Insider
Successful men say they can't start their mornings without exercise. Their essentials include lots of Nike gear and ChatGPT.
No matter the industries they work in, successful men like to start their days with workouts. While exercising, many of them opt for Nike clothes and accessories, as they told Business Insider. Some also use technology like ChatGPT and Whoop wristbands to enhance their regimens. Mark Wahlberg works out in gym sneakers that he designed. Lenny Kravitz opts for leather pants while lifting. The rest of us stick with Nike shoes and Lululemon shorts. That includes successful men across tech, finance, and other industries, who told Business Insider that they can't start their days without exercise. Here's a look at their gym essentials, from popular clothes to expensive tech. Antonio White, 38, uses technology to his advantage while exercising. White is the founder of 480 Advisors, an executive brand development agency. He previously worked as a deputy assistant secretary of community engagement at the US Treasury Department. Most days, he wakes up around 5 a.m. and makes time for a morning workout. With the help of ChatGPT, he combines strength training, walking, and yoga. "People may laugh at it, but it gives me an opportunity to track my progress," White told Business Insider. "Instead of using a notebook like most people who go to the gym, I log it right into ChatGPT. I look at it as a virtual personal trainer." He pays $20 a month for a subscription to the app and said he mainly uses it at the gym. He also uses YouTube for free workout videos. "I finish my workouts with a core exercise," he said. "I usually find an influencer on YouTube who has a 10-minute video, and I'll put it on my phone and prop it up on a stand in the corner of the gym." While working out, he wears a mix of Converse and Nike pieces. White said he typically pairs an old concert T-shirt with $55 mesh Nike shorts to exercise. "It's so basic, but I love Nike. It's my absolute favorite," he said. "The message of victory really appeals to me." He also wears various Nike sneakers for some exercises, but swaps them out during strength training. He prefers Converse's $110 Run Star Hike platform sneakers. "The shoes have made a big difference in my strength development," he said. White uses Nike's $70 Elite Pro Basketball backpack to carry his sneaker options and other gear. Bobby Mollins, 35, is loyal to Lululemon. Mollins, a former Business Insider rising star in equity research, is the director of internet research at Gordon Haskett. He exercises six days a week with routines that include stretching, cycling, strength training, and running. No matter the exercise, though, he sports $78 Lululemon Metal Vent Tech T-shirts. He said they're more comfortable than any he's tried from competitors like Adidas and Ten Thousand. For shorts, he alternates between two Lululemon options: the $78 lined Pace Breaker shorts for the gym and cycling, and the $68 unlined Pace Breaker shorts for running. "I like the fit and various length options," Mollins said of the bottoms. "The lined shorts have a phone pocket, which keeps my phone from bouncing around, and it's also useful when walking my dog at night." His exercise accessories include sunglasses, sneakers, and a running vest. Mollins recently relocated to Miami, which led to some changes in his exercise gear. Namely, he added the $145 Salomon vest. "I never had to use a hydration vest while living in New York City or Boston," he said. "But with the heat and humidity in Miami, the vest makes marathon training a little bit easier — especially on 20-mile days." His $210 SR-1x glasses from Roka have become another staple. He said the shades are ideal for running and cycling, as they don't need much adjusting while on the move. He also appreciates the brand's customization options on its website. Mollins uses a Peloton bike and a Garmin watch to guide and track his exercise. Mollins often cycles on his $4,499 SuperSix EVO 3 bike. However, he prefers not to use it when it's icy in New York or on sandy roads in Miami. That's where his $1,445 Peloton bike comes in. The device allows him to cycle indoors, while the companion app provides guided workouts. "I use it all the time," he said of the latter, noting that he has a 129-week streak. "I frequently take stretching and yoga classes, and have done a lot of the meditations offered." Additionally, Mollins likes to wear Garmin's $599 Forerunner 965 watch during all exercises. He uses it to track his workouts, heart rate, sleep, and more. Samuel Garcia, 31, said he hasn't looked back after trying Hoka sneakers. Samuel Garcia was named a Business Insider rising star of venture capital last year for his work as a partner at Amplo. The first thing he prioritizes each morning is aerobic exercise, like biking, swimming, using an elliptical, or running. If doing the latter, he always wears a $30 Nike Dri-Fit top. "I'm typically running five or six miles, and normal cotton shirts feel like they sometimes rub my skin raw," he said. "My Nike shirts have been pretty gentle on the skin, so I've appreciated that." Another exercise essential he swears by is the $155 Clifton 10 Hoka sneaker. A doctor recommended the shoes to Garcia after he broke a toe, and he's been "extremely loyal" to the brand ever since. "It was the first time I'd had a doctor recommend me any type of shoe, and I haven't had any issues since," he said. "I tried walking in other shoes and it was decently painful. But when I put the Hokas on, I felt little to no pain. So now I've been wearing them for years, kind of religiously." Brannon Jones, 31, pairs his Lululemon athletic clothes with wearable tech. Brannon Jones, another Business Insider rising star of venture capital, works at AlleyCorp. He usually wakes up around 5:15 a.m. and hits the gym by 6:30 a.m. While there, he opts for high-intensity training that he's modified from his college football days — or he takes a CrossFit class. "Even though I lift a lot, I like to wear a lot of running gear. I find that it's very light and I feel super mobile," he said, adding that Lululemon makes his favorite shorts and tank tops. He also brings his Hydro Flask water bottle (with a $13 Wide Mouth Flex Chug Cap) to each workout, and wears his Whoop wristband and Apple Watch. "The Apple Watch is so functional for workouts," he said. "You can time yourself, see your heart rate, all of that. The Whoop goes a little bit deeper in terms of helping me understand my longer-term strain and recovery." Chase Dwyer, 28, prefers to keep his gym outfits simple. Chase Dwyer founded Carbon Ridge, a company that develops carbon capture technology for the maritime shipping industry. Speaking with Business Insider, he said fitness is a core part of his morning routine. Whether cycling, running, or visiting the gym, he often wears a $58 Tuvalu tee from Vuori with $75 Nike Dri-Fit shorts. "It's simple," he said of his gym wardrobe. "Generally, when it comes to what I wear these days, I've reverted to things that take as little time as possible to think about, but still match my style and look good." He also said he's "run through a number" of $220 4T2 weekdays sneakers, and carries any extra supplies — like his black Owala water bottle — in his $219 Db Journey backpack. Modi Oyewole, 38, swears by Nike. Modi Oyewole has spent his career working for athletic brands and record labels. Now, though, he's the founder of the golf community Swang. He works out multiple times each week, spending three days with a trainer and using ClassPass options in between. He told Business Insider that he wears a lot of Lululemon while exercising, but is an even bigger fan of Nike. He uses an oversize tote from the brand to carry his protein shake, water, and Crocs, and he wears Nike Metcons, which range between $155 and $175 per pair.
