US Army Launches FPV Drone Training Course For Soldiers

  The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama, has officially launched a groundbreaking training program. The Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course (UALC), which began on August 18, 2025, is transforming soldiers into skilled FPV drone pilots, preparing them to dominate the battlefield with small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to an AUSA report, the inaugural class trained 28 soldiers—including infantrymen, cavalry scouts, drone operators, and warrant officers—through a three-week intensive course designed to master small drones, particularly first-person-view systems.

Training for Real Combat Scenarios

  The course combined off-the-shelf drones with simulators, allowing soldiers to refine their piloting skills without risking equipment damage. Training culminated in live flights where participants navigated obstacles with precision. In addition, soldiers learned to employ 3D printing to create and repair FPV drone components, enabling cost-effective sustainment and adaptation for single-directional strike missions. They also gained experience in fire support integration, using drone video feeds to coordinate with artillery and adjust targeting in real time.

Rapid Program Development

“FPV drones are already reshaping modern battlefields,” said Captain Rachel Martin, the course director who built the program in just 90 days. “The United States is moving quickly to ensure its forces can match this level of lethality.” With the first UALC graduating class complete, the Army plans to expand the program with advanced tactics and larger-scale exercises.

Counter-FPV Measures Becoming Essential

  Drawing lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, many nations are accelerating FPV training for their armed forces. At the same time, counter-FPV measures are becoming just as critical. As part of this effort, Aeroseek provides integrated solutions to help forces prepare for drone threats.The Hobit S1 Pro is designed to detect FPV analog image transmission signals across the 300 MHz–6.2 GHz range, covering nearly all mainstream FPV devices. When paired with its omnidirectional jamming antenna, the system delivers robust suppression against hostile FPV drones, making it a valuable complement to modern drone training and defense operations.