Pfc. Joseph Huff assigned to the 173rd Combat Engineer Company, conducts a live strike with a "Project Shiv" First-Person View (FPV) drone as part of the unit’s first-ever Multi-Functional Live Fire Exercise (MFLFX), marking a significant milestone in the integration of emerging technologies on the modern battlefield.
The exercise brought together key elements from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, and allied partners from the German Bundeswehr. The collaborative effort showcased the growing role of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in supporting precision fires and enhancing real-time battlefield awareness.
Throughout the exercise, UAS platforms were employed to identify, observe, and relay target data for live mortar fire missions. The training not only validated the U.S. Army’s Fires Digital Kill Chain—an advanced networked targeting and engagement system—but also marked the second live fire event involving FPV drones conducted by U.S. forces.
This exercise represents a key step forward in modernizing battlefield tactics and underscores the 173rd Brigade’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to increase lethality, precision, and coordination across the joint and multinational force.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.
(U.S. Army Photo by 1st. Lt Ellington Ward)
Date Taken: | 04.12.2025 |
Date Posted: | 04.22.2025 07:31 |
Photo ID: | 8976704 |
VIRIN: | 250412-A-RB272-9377 |
Resolution: | 8256x5504 |
Size: | 14.88 MB |
Location: | GRAFENWOHR, BAYERN, DE |
Web Views: | 18 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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