The US Army in Europe and Africa has launched its first best drone warfighter competition, bringing together American, allied, and partner forces to test and showcase advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS) skills.
Held at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, the event pits nine teams against one another in a series of realistic scenarios designed to push drone operators to their limits.
Participants include permanently stationed US Army units like the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, rotational forces under V Corps, and international teams from Italy and Spain.
Over three days, teams undergo a written UAS knowledge exam and participate in two scenario-based lanes.
One lane evaluates tactical skills for reconnaissance and strike missions using small drones in urban environments, including camouflage and security measures. The second tests precision flying, navigation, and teamwork during simulated call-for-fire missions and obstacle course challenges.
Competitors are using a mix of issued and custom-built drones, including the Skydio x2d, ORQA FPV, DJI Mavic, DJI Avata, Vantage Vesper, and the Purpose Built Attritable System. The winning team will advance to the 2026 competition.
US Drone and Counter-Drone Competitions
The best drone warfighter competition follows a broader trend of US military experimentation with UAS and counter-UAS technologies.
The xTech Counterstrike competition, for instance, identified new AI-enabled passive sensing and threat-simulated drones to strengthen small-unit air defense.
Similarly, the army’s Maneuver Battle Lab exercises have incorporated attritable and first-person view drones to test tactical employment and electronic warfare integration in complex operational environments.
These contests aim to accelerate adoption of battlefield-ready technologies, enhance interoperability among NATO allies, and prepare soldiers to respond to increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.
