New Memo Aims to Reduce Fear of Administrative Burden and Promote Drone Utilization
The U.S. Army is in the process of preparing a new memorandum aimed at clarifying the rules concerning the operation and loss of smaller drones. This initiative seeks to alleviate concerns among soldiers and commanders who fear the administrative burden of paperwork will deter the use of vital surveillance and weapon systems.
According to a report by Breaking Defense, some U.S. servicemembers have been hesitant to utilize smaller unmanned aerial systems (UAS) amidst fears of facing a lengthy “non-expendable property” investigation following any loss of the equipment due to issues like communication breakage, dead batteries, or environmental obstacles.
Colonel Nick Ryan, the director of the Army Capability Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, highlighted the complications of losing a drone, stating, “If you lose [a drone] or crash it or break it, you have to do this full-on investigation.” This investigation involves appointing an investigating officer and can result in potential financial liability for the soldier involved.
Economic Implications of Investigations
Ryan recounted that one drone had come to be known as “the flying FLIPL,” a term referring to the Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss, due to soldiers’ reluctance to fly it. The fear of having to perform an investigation often leads soldiers to put themselves at risk in combat zones to recover downed drones.
The cost of these investigations can sometimes exceed the value of the drones themselves. Senior logistics officer Greg Besaw noted that the Army can spend between $8,000 and $9,000 of personnel resources on investigations for equipment that may cost much less, questioning the overall value of such an administrative burden.
Currently, unmanned aerial systems are classified as “non-expendable property,” subjecting them to stringent accounting requirements if their value exceeds $5,000. Although the Army has petitioned the Office of the Secretary of Defense to reassess this threshold, the existing policy remains in force.
New Guidelines for Commanders
Army officials are working on an All Army Activities (ALARACT) memo aimed at clarifying that property loss investigations aren’t always mandatory. This upcoming guidance will inform commanders that they have greater discretion than they may realize concerning how to address lost UAS equipment, enabling them to write off losses and avoid unnecessary investigations.
Sydney Smith, director of supply policy and programs within Army headquarters, indicated that the memo would delineate requirements for different UAS categories, alongside examples for when abandonment memos can replace formal investigations.
For example, a drone valued below $10,000 with non-sensitive items that crashes might only require a GS-14 (lieutenant colonel) to sign the abandonment memo instead of initiating a FLIPL investigation. More expensive drones could require higher ranks for decision-making, with anything over $250,000 necessitating a general officer’s involvement.
Evolving Army Culture and Accountability Practices
According to Smith, the prevalence of investigations can be attributed to a cautious culture and past experiences where UAS technology was new and sometimes problematic. The historical reluctance to quickly write off drones stems from incidents where lost equipment was exploited by enemy forces, leading to an ingrained presumption of guilt for operators.
To further support operational use of UAS, the Army is committed to updating its property accountability manual, which will introduce a new framework to outline non-liability actions prior to any formal investigation.
With the new memo and revised policies on the horizon, Army officials believe that soldiers will feel more empowered to utilize drones in combat, reflecting the ongoing evolution of modern warfare. Smith noted, “The problem set of UAS is very different now… The technology is not unusual anymore,” emphasizing the need for military personnel to adapt to current operational realities.
As UAS technology continues to shape the landscape of modern combat, the Army aims to foster a culture where pilots can confidently deploy drones, knowing there are clear and manageable protocols for addressing any losses incurred in the field.
