The Importance of Adaptation in the 21st Century Military
A Lesson from Ukraine: The Power of Agility in Innovation
That lightning-quick innovation is possible for two reasons: First, Ukraine has a large and diverse domestic drone industry of over 200 companies — along with hundreds of smaller firms and volunteers — that turn out hundreds of thousands of small, cheap drones a month. Second, Ukraine’s military prizes agility over certainty in adopting and adapting new technologies, including faster approvals, rapid prototyping and testing, and direct collaboration between engineers and soldiers on the front lines.
A Warning to the United States: Adapt or Be Left Behind
This war is both a lesson and a warning to the United States: Adapt now or be left behind. In 2016, the Marine Corps commandant, Gen. Robert Neller, announced a “quads for squads” program, promising to equip every Marine squad with its own quadcopter drones by the “end of next year.” Eight years later, the Marines are still trying to make that happen. So, what’s the problem? The U.S. drone industry lags China’s, manufacturing only 5,000 to 6,000 small drones per month, compared to China’s more than one hundred thousand per month, according to some analysts, and they are no match for China’s in capability or cost.
Diversifying Risk and Promoting Innovation
To stay ahead, the new administration must place new bets. It needs to diversify risk. This means developing a wide array of systems, made by many companies in smaller numbers, rather than putting all its resources into a few big-ticket platforms from a few major players. When such systems prove their worth, they can be rapidly scaled up and upgraded. Systems failing to make the grade — and the companies behind them — get left behind.
The Diffusion of Technology and the Importance of Collaboration
The diffusion of technology means U.S. military superiority must come not just from the weapons it has, but from how it uses them. This calls for close collaboration among operators, engineers, and industry figures. Innovation thrives when ideas are tested and refined in the field, not just in labs.
Bringing the Military into the 21st Century
The Pentagon’s current approach is rooted in a mind-set that worked for 20th-century industrial-era wars, including the Cold War. The Trump administration’s task is to bring the military into the 21st century. The future of warfare and deterrence requires diversity, flexibility, and speed. The sooner the United States adapts, the better prepared it will be for the conflicts to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of innovation and adaptation in the 21st century military. The example of Ukraine’s drone industry and its ability to quickly develop and deploy new technologies serves as a lesson to the United States. The US military must adopt a more agile approach, including diversifying risk, promoting collaboration, and embracing innovation. The future of warfare and deterrence requires the US to adapt and stay ahead of emerging threats.
FAQs
Q: What is the US drone industry’s output compared to China’s?
A: The US drone industry manufactures 5,000 to 6,000 small drones per month, compared to China’s more than 100,000 per month.
Q: Why is the US drone industry lagging behind China’s?
A: The US drone industry is limited by its focus on a few big-ticket platforms from a few major players, whereas China’s industry is more diverse, with many companies producing small drones in smaller numbers.
Q: What is the key to Ukraine’s success in drone development?
A: Ukraine’s military prizes agility over certainty in adopting and adapting new technologies, including faster approvals, rapid prototyping and testing, and direct collaboration between engineers and soldiers on the front lines.
Q: What is the Trump administration’s task regarding the military?
A: The Trump administration’s task is to bring the military into the 21st century, requiring diversity, flexibility, and speed in the face of emerging threats.
