Before troops advance, drones and unmanned vehicles head into danger zones. Smoke drones assist in movement while multipurpose unmanned vehicles lead the way. As unmanned systems overcome obstacles and hazardous areas, manned forces follow to secure objectives. This shift illustrates how unmanned systems share the risks previously borne by combat troops. The Army showcased this vision of future warfare during the 'Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Training' held on October 14 at the Yangpyeong Training Center in Gyeonggi Province.
The integrated combat training demonstrated the roles advanced equipment can play in actual combat scenarios. The exercise illustrated how various forces work together to identify and respond to threats before securing objectives.
During the demonstration, drones served as a crucial element connecting multiple stages of combat. They acted as reconnaissance tools to locate enemies, strike targets, and defend against enemy drones. This highlighted the role of unmanned systems as essential components in combined arms warfare, performing both offensive and defensive missions.
On this day, friendly drones successfully executed attack missions by striking targets, while enemy drones threatening friendly forces were shot down by anti-drone defense systems, including the Cheongkwang laser weapon. The exercise also showcased the back-and-forth of using drones to counter enemy drone attacks.
The role of unmanned systems became even clearer in the 'Integrated Unmanned Combat' segment. Smoke drones and multipurpose unmanned vehicles were deployed ahead of troops to search for threats and navigate through danger zones. The responsibility of entering high-risk areas shifted from combat troops to unmanned forces. This confirmed that the purpose of utilizing unmanned systems extends beyond merely enhancing firepower to reducing the exposure of combat personnel to danger.
In the 'Combined Manned and Unmanned Combat' phase, these movements led to successful objective acquisition. Unmanned reconnaissance vehicles and K-CEVs (Korean Combat Engineering Vehicles) overcame obstacles and hazardous areas first, allowing manned forces to follow up with coordinated operations. The structure involved unmanned forces clearing the path for manned forces to complete their missions.
Notably, the flow of the demonstration was impressive. Each stage transitioned smoothly, particularly the sequences where targets were consecutively hit, showcasing the thorough preparation of combat capabilities. The practical use of unmanned systems, which is often difficult to gauge through mere equipment displays, was clearly revealed in the combat context. The focus was on how the combat approach changes when drones and unmanned vehicles operate together, beyond just their individual capabilities.
To support this interconnectivity among forces, the Army is pursuing the establishment of a 'Digital Backbone.' This foundation aims to connect various advanced forces, including drones and robots, into a single network. The plan is to apply this from small units and gradually expand it to larger formations, ensuring that sensors, data, and AI-based command decision support systems operate organically.
This training also served to concretize the vision of the future Army by 2040 that the Army aims to realize through Army TIGER+. In response to a decrease in military personnel and various security threats, the Army plans to shift from a personnel-centric combat system to a combined arms unit that integrates AI and robotic unmanned systems with existing forces.
At the core of the Army's proposed innovations is the concept of 'Transformation in Contact.' This approach moves beyond simply introducing equipment after technology development, focusing instead on testing technology in real military operational environments and evolving necessary performance and operational concepts based on the results.
To achieve this, the Army plans to expand the Army TIGER+ demonstration units to 14 types and establish a defense robot and physical AI testing environment by linking the Pangyo AX base with the Yangpyeong and Mugunri training centers. The data collected during training and equipment operations will be reused for AI learning and technology improvement, connecting military operational needs with civilian technology development.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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