The U.S. Army successfully conducted its first live grenade drop using a small UAS last week. The test, which took place at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, involved the Skydio X10D drone equipped with the “Audible” dropper system developed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM).
The operation marked the first time conventional Army forces have deployed a live M67 fragmentation grenade from a drone, signaling a new chapter in U.S. military modernization and precision lethality.
The 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) led the multi-unit, multi-component live-fire test, with contributions from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee Army National Guard, currently deployed in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, as well as local Grafenwoehr-based units including the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 18th Military Police Brigade. The effort was supported by DEVCOM and 1st Army.
“Every technology we test here, every capability we develop, every unit we send out of our training areas more ready – they are not just a European deterrence, but a global deterrence,” said Brig. Gen. Steven P. Carpenter, Commanding General of 7ATC. “7ATC is the U.S. Army’s premiere innovation and modernization training organization.”
Carpenter emphasized the strategic value of experimentation in Europe, calling Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels the best locations for both honing warfighting skills and testing emerging technologies. The live grenade drop is part of a broader set of modernization initiatives under U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s multi-domain experimentation strategy, building on previous work such as Project Shiv.
First-of-its-kind test for U.S. Army forces
The Audible dropper system, mounted on the Skydio X10D, is designed to pull the grenade’s pin mid-flight before release. The team initially rehearsed the operation with inert and M69 training grenades before moving to the live M67.
“Our first test was a success: it was the first live-ordnance drop from a sUAS for the conventional Army,” said Maj. Phillip Draper, Brigade Aviation Officer for JMTG-U. “We were able to conduct the first test very successfully, and we’ll continue with follow-on tests to provide that information to the Army enterprise for further production.”
Draper added that the multi-component team, including active duty, National Guard, and Army civilian personnel, performed multiple dry runs and refinements before attempting the live drop.
“Hopefully we can build on this and make it better, and get those results to the warfighter,” he said. “Making it more readily accessible for every commander to use within the U.S. Army.”
Safety was a central focus throughout the test. German Ministry of Defense approvals were secured, and extensive safety protocols were implemented. These included internal geofencing from Skydio, observation and interception drones, signal-disrupting “drone busters” and strict weather controls. Bundeswehr observers were present to monitor the event.
DEVCOM played a key role in both the planning and execution of the test. Despite the time difference, real-time feedback was relayed back to engineers in the United States, allowing immediate integration of tactical insights. Modifications are already underway for future iterations of the Audible system.
“This is revolutionary; Soldiers will utilize this capability in the fight beautifully,” said David Oeschger, Deputy Operations Chief for 7ATC.
Looking ahead, the Army envisions a future where platoons or companies could integrate UAS-delivered munitions into training and combat operations. The potential to 3D print Audible droppers in the field is also being explored to increase battlefield flexibility and self-sufficiency.
Later the same day, the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted a second live drop using an internally developed dropper device, further supported by DEVCOM engineering expertise. The results are contributing to an expanding dataset meant to inform broader Army modernization and capability development.
“We have a strong future of modernization training capabilities here in Bavaria,” Carpenter added. “While this is just an initial test of one capability, the lessons learned here have a rippling effect for informing global defense and building the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line.”
Further live-fire tests using additional drone platforms and dropper configurations are scheduled to continue at Grafenwoehr throughout the summer.
ПОВ'ЯЗАНОГО З ЦИМ КОНТЕНТУ: US Army Colonel pursues ‘holy grail’ of HEL Systems to counter Group 3 UAS
Post Image Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Collin Mackall
Підпишіться C-UAS Hub на LinkedIn для регулярного оновлення контенту з протидії БПЛА.
