US Army tests bomb-dropping drone in German exercise

As part of the ongoing Combined Resolve 25-1 exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, soldiers from the 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, conducted training operations utilizing the C100D quadcopter drone for precision bomb drops.

The training, held on January 15, 2025, is a key component of the U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, which integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance warfighting capabilities in crisis or conflict scenarios.

The C100D is a compact, man-packable heavy-lift quadcopter capable of missions lasting up to 74 minutes with payloads. Designed with low size, weight, and power (low-SWaP) considerations, the drone can be deployed in less than two minutes, providing rapid operational readiness.

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The system is equipped with multiple payload bays and supports a variety of mission configurations. Its modular open architecture enables seamless integration of new hardware and powertrain upgrades, future-proofing the platform for evolving battlefield requirements.

Standard payloads for the C100D include Trillium’s military-grade EO/IR gimbals, which enable real-time surveillance and targeting. An independent fixed flight camera provides a first-person view, improving operator navigation.

Visual-inertial odometry for operations in GNSS-denied environments.
AES-256 encrypted datalink for secure communication.

The C100D’s payload capacity of up to 21.4 pounds allows it to carry various mission-specific equipment, including mini bombs for precision strikes.

Combined Resolve 25-1 is a multinational exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability among allied forces while testing new technologies under the U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact framework. This initiative focuses on integrating advanced systems to improve readiness and adaptability in high-intensity scenarios.

The deployment of the C100D highlights the Army’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to maintain a tactical advantage.

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Executive Editor

About author:

Colton Jones
Colton Jones
Colton Jones is the deputy editor of Defence Blog. He is a US-based journalist, writer and publisher who specializes in the defense industry in North America and Europe. He has written about emerging technology in military magazines and elsewhere. He is a former Air Force airmen and served at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

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