Articles on the latest developments and innovations in technology affecting landpower, the Army, and its soldiers.

McConville: Army Moving Quickly on Modernization

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Soldier training with IVAS
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McConville: Army Moving Quickly on Modernization

The Army’s new approach to acquiring the systems it needs to modernize is “pretty quick” compared to the cumbersome, yearslong process of the past, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville.

With 34 major modernization systems coming to bear as part of the Army’s transformation through 2040, of which 24 systems are on track to be fielded or in prototype “in the hands of soldiers” this year, the Army has been able to streamline its process by having industry present ideas on paper first, McConville said.

New Training, Doctrine Prepare Sustainers for Future

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ARCYBER center
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New Training, Doctrine Prepare Sustainers for Future

The Army is reworking its sustainment doctrine and training soldiers in combat support and combat service support jobs to be “more datacentric” in preparation for large-scale combat, the Army’s top logistician said.

In remarks at a breakfast hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army as part of its Coffee Series, Lt. Gen. Charles Hamilton, deputy Army chief of staff for logistics, G-4, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February caused the Army sustainment sector to rethink its posture for large-scale combat and how soldiers are preparing to support the warfighter.

Army Seeks New Ideas to Enhance Soldier Performance

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soldiers training
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Army Seeks New Ideas to Enhance Soldier Performance

In its quest to help soldiers enhance their physical and mental performance, Army Futures Command brought together experts from the private sector to discuss new technologies and emerging trends.

Over a two-day symposium, the experts from academia and sports and technology companies weighed in on optimizing human performance by focusing on cognition among people with physically demanding jobs, using wearable technology or analog methods to encourage desired outcomes, making healthy choices, and examining the role of data in enabling better health, precision and resilience.

Soldier’s Software Helps Counter Enemy Drones

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Soldiers busting a drone
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Soldier’s Software Helps Counter Enemy Drones

Software developed by an Army sergeant could better equip the military as it seeks new ways to counter the rising and evolving threat of drones. 

During a recent deployment to Saudi Arabia, Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. Mickey Reeve used his free time to develop a counter-unmanned aerial systems software. His work won the inaugural Innovation Oasis competition hosted by U.S. Central Command.

Wormuth: Stakes are High in Ukraine

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Ukraine soldiers
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Wormuth: Stakes are High in Ukraine

By providing weapons and training, the U.S. is working to put the Ukrainians in the “strongest possible position” to defend their sovereignty and engage the Russians from a “position of strength,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said.

Speaking Dec. 3 on a panel during the Reagan National Defense Forum, Wormuth said the stakes are high. “Given what is at stake in Ukraine, not just for the Ukrainians, but for NATO and for the entire free world, it’s in our interest to give them what they need to defend their territory and push the Russians out,” she said.

Work Continues to Electrify Army Vehicles

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JLTV
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Work Continues to Electrify Army Vehicles

As the Army works to electrify its combat vehicles, it will not compromise combat effectiveness, a senior Army leader said.

Electric Vehicle Plans Will Give Troops Tactical Edge

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Douglas Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) speaks during the AUSA Contemporary Military Forum: Partners in Army Climate Resilience at AUSA 2022 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (Jen Milbrett for AUSA)
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Electric Vehicle Plans Will Give Troops Tactical Edge

Army plans to field hybrid-drive tactical vehicles by 2035 and fully electric tactical vehicles by 2050 align with a broader service strategy to slow climate change and transition more fully to renewable energy sources. 

But the Army’s top acquisition official says this move will also make soldiers more effective against the enemy.