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Close to 10,000 US Army soldiers gathered at Fort Irwin in California this summer for a major training exercise called Project Convergence Capstone. Their task: simulate storming a desert city called Razish while fighting against an enemy force made up of troops from the Army's own 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The exercise tested whether new technologies — particularly drones and computer systems — could help soldiers see threats better and fight more effectively.
Drones flew above the city before and during the fighting, giving troops a wider view of enemy positions than they could get from the ground alone. One captain explained that drones helped his unit spot threats, guide weapons toward them, and then finish the job with anti-tank weapons. However, once soldiers moved into the crowded streets and buildings, drones became less useful. The focus shifted back to what soldiers do best: moving carefully through buildings, watching for hidden enemies, and protecting each other. A top Army general emphasized that packing too much technology into training actually makes it harder for soldiers to learn, so the Army is learning to use new tools selectively rather than relying on them everywhere.