During a panel titled “Reforging the Armored Spearhead: TiC 2.0 and the Evolution of Large-Scale Combat Operations,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, Command Sgt. Maj. James Light, and Col. Bryan Bonnema highlighted how the U.S. Army must adapt. Taylor opened by referencing a Ukrainian brigade’s robotic assault near Kharkiv in December 2024, calling it a pivotal moment for armoured warfare.
“That battle indicates the time to reimagine armor has begun and we have got to think about what armor will look like in the future,” Taylor said. He explained that over 70% of vehicle losses in Ukraine are caused by First-Person View (FPV) drone strikes, emphasising the urgent need to evolve.
Taylor outlined how the future battlefield will depend less on direct fire and more on platforms capable of sensing, surviving, and striking in contested electromagnetic environments. He identified four imperatives for the future Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT): integrated sensing and strike, embedded drone countermeasures, dedicated electronic warfare teams, and robotic breaching systems.
He warned that while robotic capabilities are advancing, humans remain central in warfare and must be protected accordingly. “Soldiers are not attritable assets,” he said, calling for sustained investment in troop protection.
Taylor also quoted an Estonian battalion commander: “The winning side in the next war will be the army that first perfects the use of drones in maneuver warfare.” This, he said, captures the urgency of current innovation efforts within armoured units.
Command Sgt. Maj. Light echoed these points, stressing that change must begin at the unit level. “Our infantry squads and armored formations are very well trained and they are very good at what they do,” he said, “The problem is we’ve been doing it pretty much the same way for the last decade or so.”
Light emphasised the need for innovation driven by noncommissioned officers and Soldiers operating within current resource constraints. “They absolutely are the ones that are going to be able to contribute the most and influence those outcomes that determine where we go in the future as a force,” he added.
He also highlighted the enduring value of fundamentals, citing a U.S. tank crew’s victory in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge through disciplined training and standard gunnery. For Light, innovation must complement—not replace—proven tactical excellence.
Col. Bonnema provided insights from the 1st ABCT’s recent participation in the Transforming in Contact 2.0 (TiC 2.0) rotation at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. He described the brigade’s goals to improve mission performance, maintain persistent pressure across all domains, and increase lethality.
“As a TiC 2.0 ABCT, there were three things that we thought that we needed to be able to do better than a non-TiC ABCT,” Bonnema explained. “The first was accomplish our mission, task and purpose more effectively, more efficiently… and the last was to become more lethal.”
Bonnema described several experimental tactics tested during the rotation, including enhanced camouflage, virtual collaboration tools, and new communication methods to avoid detection. The brigade also deployed small electronic warfare teams to locate and disrupt enemy forces ahead of the main assault.
A key innovation was the creation of FAAT teams—combining FPV drone pilots, artillery observers, and anti-tank assets—used effectively in restrictive terrain. Comprehensive counter-UAS defences were also employed to protect advancing troops and ensure operational freedom from breach points to rear areas.
“JMRC is an opportune place for us to operate, train and experiment,” said Bonnema. “It really helped us get after readiness. From the complex terrain to the professional OPFOR, it gave us some good lessons.”
Despite successes, Bonnema and Taylor acknowledged ongoing challenges, such as limited drone battery life and the difficulty of launching drones safely near combat zones. Taylor called on industry to develop armoured vehicle-integrated launch systems, stating: “We’ve got to move beyond launching drones from tough boxes in dangerous forward areas.”
Currently, there is no formal military occupational specialty for FPV drone operators, so units are adapting existing roles and using simulators to build skills. Soldiers have flown over 660 training hours to prepare for live fire exercises.
Light described drone piloting as highly complex and requiring dedicated talent and training. “You don’t just wake up, grab your controller, and go fly up and take out a tank,” he noted.
Bonnema reiterated the importance of extensive training, saying: “We’re using simulations to get after training… it’s hundreds. Six hundred and sixty [hours] is what we’ve flown so far in preparation for our live fire.”
Maj. Gen. Taylor concluded by stressing the advantage of operating in Europe, near active conflict zones, which has accelerated innovation. “You have an opportunity because of your proximity to the theater… to innovate at a pace that I never thought was possible,” he said.
As threats evolve, the 1st Armored Division and 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division are adapting rapidly to meet the demands of modern warfare. Forward-deployed in Europe under V Corps, these units continue to strengthen partnerships with NATO allies while shaping the future of armoured combat.
