As the battlefield rapidly evolves, so too must the tools of the warfighter.
In response to the growing prominence of drone warfare, the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade has taken matters into its own hands—literally—by establishing a first-of-its-kind, in-house drone laboratory.
Located at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, the new lab enables paratroopers to build, train with, and deploy first-person view (FPV) drones without the delays and limitations often associated with formal procurement channels.
The initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for agile, affordable, and combat-ready drone capabilities.
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Spearheaded by Col. Joshua Gaspard, the brigade commander, the lab empowers soldiers to create highly capable FPV drones on-site for about $1,000 apiece. That cost-effective figure stands in stark contrast to the often hefty price tags of military-grade systems acquired through traditional means.
“It’s a huge learning curve, but paratroopers are excited to be using these systems,” said 1st Lt. Aiden Roberts in an official Army release. “They see videos of FPV drones in Ukraine all over Instagram and the news media.”
The 173rd’s decision to launch this internal drone initiative stems in large part from the growing ubiquity of unmanned systems on contemporary battlefields—particularly the Ukrainian front.
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There, small commercial drones are being used to devastating effect for surveillance, artillery spotting, and even direct strikes.
The rapid adaptability and lethality of these systems has proven that even small, inexpensive devices can dramatically influence tactical outcomes.
Roberts explained that the FPV drones the brigade is building can be deployed for both reconnaissance and direct action.
“They’re basically steerable mortars,” he said, alluding to their ability to carry and deliver explosive payloads with high precision. The FPV design offers the operator a real-time camera feed, allowing for a first-person view through goggles or a monitor, significantly increasing control and accuracy during missions.
To accelerate field-readiness, soldiers undergo a 15-day crash course in both drone construction and operation.
According to the Army, the drones were successfully integrated into a recent live-fire training exercise—demonstrating not just their viability, but also the speed with which the brigade has adapted to emerging technologies.
The lab, developed in cooperation with the 414th Contracting Support Brigade, emphasizes local fabrication.
The quadcopter frames are 3D-printed on-site, while motors, wiring, and electronic components are assembled by hand. Workbenches are stocked with tools and parts, creating an ecosystem of innovation where soldiers not only learn to fly drones—they learn to build them from the ground up.
This grassroots approach reflects a broader shift within the Department of War.
A memo released in April by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calls for every Army division to integrate drone capabilities by 2026. Additionally, counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) defenses are to be embedded at the platoon level.
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll underscored this point in a recent conversation with War on the Rocks, noting that the increasing threat of drones on the battlefield is already impacting operational decisions, including how far forward armored assets like tanks can be positioned.
While the U.S. military has long relied on high-end uncrewed aerial systems for strategic operations, the explosion of commercial drone use in asymmetric warfare has forced a reconsideration of how even infantry units engage and defend in combat zones.
In Ukraine, small drones have been used not only for targeting and surveillance but also to drop improvised explosives, creating a constant threat to both personnel and vehicles.
In response, the Army is also investing in modular drone designs and rapid manufacturing techniques, like 3D printing, that mirror the approach now being piloted by the 173rd.
These advancements are intended to offer maximum flexibility on the battlefield, allowing for quick part swaps and mission-specific configurations without returning to base.
The FPV drone lab at Caserma Del Din is emblematic of the kind of tactical innovation that’s likely to become more commonplace as military units adapt to the decentralized nature of modern warfare.
It allows for real-time iteration, hands-on experience, and a direct line from concept to combat—all without having to wait for procurement approvals or large-scale contracts.
For the soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, this initiative is more than just a tech upgrade; it’s a glimpse into the future of warfare, where adaptability, speed, and innovation could mean the difference between mission success and failure.
And if the past year’s global conflicts have taught anything, it’s that the battlefield belongs not just to those with the biggest guns—but to those who can build, fly, and fight with the smallest drones.
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