U.S. lawmakers demand explanation over Army drone unit disbandment

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is demanding explanations from the Army after an order was issued to stop a specialized drone warfare unit within the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The 600-soldier unit, based in Europe, was established in November to develop uncrewed system tactics and build its own drones, drawing heavily on combat lessons from Ukraine.

Acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve recently ordered the battalion to refocus on its core mission as an airborne infantry unit. Lawmakers, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, and Angus King, along with Representative Mike Turner, expressed concern that dismantling the specialized unit will hinder the military’s ability to modernize and learn from allies in a rapidly evolving battlefield environment.

The group has requested a formal briefing to understand the data and decision-making process behind the shift, specifically seeking to know if the directive originated from Pentagon leadership or within the Army itself.