We live in an era where new technologies are transforming international competition. Although the United States continues to invest in technologies such as unmanned aerial systems and undersea and surface drones, we hold no monopoly on these capabilities.
Militias and violent extremist organizations operating in the region are acquiring — and in some cases manufacturing — equipment and weapons that can do great harm without endangering their operators.
Possession of these easily obtained and inexpensive weapons could determine who prevails in a conflict. In recent wars like the one in Ukraine, we see relatively cheap drones sinking costly warships.
The United States and our partners are taking a proactive approach by embracing modern military innovations that enhance regional security for a greater return on investment.
Until my appointment as Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, I commanded the U.S. 5th Fleet based out of Bahrain. The waters our naval forces patrol, stretching from the Suez Canal to the northern Arabian Gulf, are critical conduits for a large percentage of global trade. It is 8,000 kilometers from the Suez Canal, around the Arabian Peninsula, to the Northern Arabian Gulf.
Given that vast distance, it is simply not practical nor affordable to build so many ships to cover so large an area. So, we have turned to technological innovation. Although unmanned aerial vehicles have been around for close to 30 years and unmanned underwater vehicles for nearly 10 years, unmanned surface vessels just now are reaching technological maturation, and so these surface drones have become our latest focus.
These uncrewed floating platforms extend our vision over the horizon, their sensors and cameras delivering millions of bits of data that are sorted for relevance by artificial intelligence systems.
Yet these machines are only as good as the people who operate them. In 2021, U.S. Navy Central Command created Task Force 59 as its first task force dedicated to unmanned and artificial intelligence. As of early 2024, this task force had conducted more than 34 exercises to train personnel in cutting edge maritime technology. Operators of these unmanned systems have been gaining knowledge and experience at a furious rate.
Other Central Command components have also focused on unmanned systems tailored to their needs. For example, the U.S. Air Force’s Task Force 99 is considering the use of aerial drones from nontraditional sources such as those it can digitally print for about $3,000 apiece.
The U.S. Army’s Task Force 39 is testing robotic unmanned ground systems that can safely supply troops in the field. Special Operations Force’s Task Force 179 is investigating the use of disposable swarming attack drones to multiply combat effectiveness.
The implementation of these innovations, both defensive and offensive, remains a work in progress, but affords enormous opportunity to act with speed and effect.
These platforms also provide an opportunity to expand partnerships in unique ways. Jordan, for example, has been a major hub for unmanned operations for more than two years. The Jordanian Robotics Operation Center (J-ROC) is a shining example of partnership at its best, with the U.S. and the Jordanian militaries serving side by side as we advance cutting edge capability.
As we look to the future, each of us — the U.S.
and its partners, allies and friends — should continue
to adopt these technologies in line with our unique
security situations.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper
Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command