US Army Europe, Africa Launches First Drone Warfighter Competition

By Lacey Justinger, 7th Army Training Command 

Ten teams are competing in the inaugural U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Drone Warfighter Competition at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Dec. 8-10.

The multinational competition is designed to test and showcase unmanned aerial system operator capabilities and to serve as a visible culmination of experimentation, readiness and transformational warfighting initiatives, ensuring that participating U.S., allied and partner soldiers are trained, tested and ready to deploy modern UAS capabilities in complex operational environments. 

"It's pretty exceptional that although we're competing, we're friends, we're partners, we're allies," said Army Brig. Gen. Terry Tillis, 7ATC commander, during the opening ceremony.

"There's a larger picture," Tillis added. "It's not just about flying UAS. It's about utilizing the UAS as integrated enablers to achieve desired effects. It's about UAS facilitating the combined arms maneuvers of our ground forces into a position of advantage so they can seize and hold terrain." 

Army units permanently stationed in Europe and competing in the drone warfighter competition include the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 7ATC; 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa; 2nd Cavalry Regiment, V Corps; and 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Other units rotationally deployed to the European theater under V Corps that are also competing include the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division; and 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. 

International teams from Italy and Spain are also competing. Each team has two to six soldiers, including a short-range reconnaissance drone team and a first-person-view drone team. 

Teams are scored over three days of graded activities, including a written UAS knowledge exam and two training scenarios conducted on a variety of soldier skills within a time limit. 

One area focuses on their tactical abilities to carry out an aerial reconnaissance and a strike mission using a variety of small UAS platforms against an enemy force in an urban environment, including establishing camouflage and security. 

The second scenario tests aerial land navigation, accuracy and maneuverability of a first-person-view drone through an obstacle course to clear and secure a trench, as well as team cohesion and decision-making during a call-for-fire mission. 

Teams are using a variety of issued and self-built drones. 

The top Army team will be announced at the end of the competition and go on to compete in the 2026 Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition.