- U.S. Army units from the 3rd Infantry Division trained with a C100 reconnaissance drone in bomber configuration during Spartan Focus exercises at Fort Stewart on Feb. 2, 2026.
- The training reflects lessons from Ukraine, where low-cost quadcopter bomber drones were used at scale in 2025, with VAMPIRE-class systems conducting more than 2.5 million combat missions.
Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted drone bomber training using a C100 Medium Range Reconnaissance unmanned aerial system during a Table VI exercise for Spartan Focus, the division said.
According to the 3rd Infantry Division, the training involved unmanned aircraft system operators from the Multi-Function Reconnaissance Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment.
The unit employed the C100 drone in a bomber configuration with 3D-printed training rounds to practice tactics and coordination for using a comparatively low-cost aerial system as infantry fire support on the battlefield.
The exercise focused on integrating drone-delivered munitions into ground maneuver operations. Operators rehearsed coordination with supported infantry elements, target identification, and release procedures during live training scenarios designed to mirror modern battlefield conditions.
As noted by the 3rd Infantry Division, the use of drone technology allows commanders to observe enemy positions without placing soldiers in direct danger, while retaining the ability to choose the most appropriate course of action based on real-time aerial reconnaissance.
The C100 Medium Range Reconnaissance drone used during the exercise is designed to provide extended-range surveillance and can be configured to carry small payloads. During Spartan Focus, the platform was employed to simulate bomber-style missions in support of ground forces, allowing units to refine techniques for integrating unmanned systems into combined arms operations.
The training also reflects battlefield lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, where quadcopter-style bomber drones emerged as one of the most effective means of direct fire support in 2025. Ukrainian forces employed low-cost unmanned bomber systems at scale to strike infantry positions, vehicles, and logistical targets directly on the battlefield. According to Militarniy, VAMPIRE-class quadcopter bombers alone conducted more than 2.5 million combat missions, demonstrating how inexpensive, rapidly replaceable drones can deliver persistent battlefield effects without exposing infantry units to direct fire.