US Army Plans to Procure Kamikaze Drones for Infantry Units

The U.S. Army has established a new program that will provide infantry units with loitering attack munitions, known as kamikaze drones, according to Doug Bush, the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology.

In a recent meeting with reporters, Bush said the military branch may procure different versions of drones under the Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance program on a competitive basis. According to an Army press release, the LASSO unmanned aerial system will have an electro-optical/infrared sensor and precision flight control, allowing it to fly, track and engage non-line-of-sight targets and armored vehicles with precision lethal fires, DefenseScoop reported.

The Department of Defense revealed in a fact sheet that it is already acquiring kamikaze drones, including Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost; however, the UAS units will be sent to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia’s invasion. 

Bush also revealed the Army’s plan to buy counter-UAS technologies for fixed site and mobile sets. He said the Army is looking at promising low-cost, low-tech counter-drone solutions the U.S. defense industry sent to Ukraine. Bush, however, noted that more expensive missile systems are needed to take down more sophisticated UAS, such as Iranian-made kamikaze drones.