ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Army is creating a new research institute solely focused on small-unit performance.

The Soldier Squad Performance Research Institute to be built at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, Mass., will be known as S2PRINT, and is part of a larger Army effort focused on the tools and training required to improve the fighting power of small units. It is expected to open in 2023.

Figuring out how to make autonomous unmanned aircraft systems increasingly available to small platoon- and squad-level tactical units could provide useful and potentially decisive combat advantages, according to a recent report.