Advancements in Unmanned Systems and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A strategic shift following the March 2024 retirement of the RQ-7B Shadow platform has catalyzed significant innovation within the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Hawkeye Platoon of the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, is pioneering the integration of small, adaptable unmanned aerial systems, a development that strongly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fostering Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Practices (SDG 9)

The platoon’s initiative serves as a model for resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

In-House Development and Manufacturing

The unit has embraced a decentralized and sustainable production model by designing and assembling its own drone fleet. This approach directly supports SDG 9 by:

• Utilizing commercial off-the-shelf parts and 3D-printed components, promoting adaptable and accessible technology.
• Establishing a mobile fabrication lab, which functions as a form of resilient, forward-deployed infrastructure for on-site repairs and modifications.
• Reducing reliance on complex, external supply chains, thereby increasing operational self-sufficiency and resilience.

Cost-Effectiveness and Resource Efficiency

The development of First Person View (FPV) drone systems, costing approximately $400 to $500 per unit, represents a significant advancement in resource management. This low-cost, high-impact model enhances technological access and promotes responsible financial stewardship.

Enhancing Human Capital and Knowledge Transfer (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

The program emphasizes skill development and knowledge dissemination, contributing to quality education and productive employment.

Skill Development and Vocational Training

Soldiers are being upskilled beyond operation into technical roles, embodying the principles of SDG 4 (Quality Education). They are now trained as:

• Designers and engineers
• Fabrication technicians
• Repair specialists

Scalable Training for Institutional Growth

A “train-the-trainer” model ensures the widespread and sustainable dissemination of these new skills. This methodology promotes lifelong learning opportunities within the institution and develops a highly skilled, technologically adept workforce, directly contributing to the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Potential Applications in Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Operations

The technology developed has significant potential for dual-use applications in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and peacekeeping, aligning with SDGs 11 and 16.

Logistical Support and Community Resilience (SDG 11)

The C100 drone platform, with its advanced capabilities, is well-suited for missions that make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Key features include:

1. Autonomous delivery of critical supplies, such as medical aid, to forward or isolated locations.
2. A 10-kilometer operational range and 74-minute flight endurance, enabling support to remote or disaster-stricken areas.
3. The ability to operate without a direct line of sight, which is crucial in mountainous or inaccessible terrain for delivering aid effectively.

Enhancing Peace and Institutional Effectiveness (SDG 16)

The reconnaissance capabilities of these drone systems can support the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. In peacekeeping or monitoring scenarios, this technology allows for enhanced situational awareness without deploying personnel into high-risk environments, thereby strengthening the capacity for maintaining peace and security.

Promoting Global Partnerships and Responsible Production (SDG 17 & SDG 12)

The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration and sustainable consumption patterns.

Collaborative Development in Multinational Environments

Testing and validation of these systems during multinational exercises like Agile Spirit 25 foster global partnerships (SDG 17). Such collaboration allows for the sharing of innovative technologies and best practices that can be applied to joint security or humanitarian missions.

A Model for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

The platoon’s entire operational model is a case study in ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. This is achieved through:

• A reduced material footprint via on-demand 3D printing of parts.
• An extended product lifecycle enabled by in-house maintenance and repair capabilities.
• A fundamental shift from large, proprietary systems to smaller, modular, and locally sustained technology.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several issues that connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article’s central theme is innovation within a military unit, focusing on the development and integration of new drone technology, 3D printing, and in-house fabrication.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article highlights the training and acquisition of new technical skills by soldiers, emphasizing a scalable “train-the-trainer” model to disseminate knowledge.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The context of the training, a multinational exercise with allied and partner forces, directly relates to building partnerships.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The focus on technological upgrading, innovation, and developing new skills to increase productivity and effectiveness aligns with principles of this goal.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The practice of building low-cost drones and repairing them in-house reflects principles of waste reduction and resource efficiency.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation.
   • Explanation: The Hawkeye Platoon is described as an “incubator for battlefield innovation.” They are actively upgrading their technological capabilities by designing, assembling, and modifying drones using “commercial parts and 3D printed components.” This unit-level innovation and research into new combat applications directly reflects the spirit of this target.
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Explanation: The article details how soldiers are trained to become “tech-savvy instructors.” They learn to build, fly, and repair advanced FPV drones. The implementation of a “train-the-trainer model” is a specific strategy to increase the number of soldiers with these new technical skills across the brigade.
3. Target 17.6: Enhance… regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Explanation: The training and testing of these new technologies occur during “Agile Spirit 25, a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led, multinational exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness with allied and partner forces.” This event serves as a platform for international cooperation on new military technology and tactics.
4. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through… technological upgrading and innovation.
   • Explanation: The article describes a “pivot to small uncrewed aircraft systems” as a way to increase effectiveness and “speed up the kill chain.” This is a clear example of using technological upgrading (new drones) and innovation (in-house building and repair) to achieve higher levels of productivity in their operations.
5. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
   • Explanation: The article emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and repairability of the FPV drones. Staff Sgt. Andy Ortiz states, “it’s super cheap to build… If it breaks, we fix it in-house.” This approach of in-house repair and using modular, 3D-printed parts reduces the waste that would be generated by discarding and replacing more complex, expensive systems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article contains several pieces of information that can serve as indicators for measuring progress:

1. Investment in new technology: The article explicitly states, “The 173rd Airborne Brigade invested in four C100 drones as well as a fleet of custom-built first person view drones.” The number and type of new technologies procured can serve as an indicator for Target 9.5.
2. Cost and efficiency of innovation: The cost of an FPV drone setup (“around $400 to $500”) and the time to build it (“Even a beginner can build it in four hours”) are quantifiable indicators of the efficiency and accessibility of the new technology, relevant to Targets 8.2 and 9.5.
3. Implementation of training programs: The existence of a “train-the-trainer model” where certified NCOs “can train other soldiers” is a clear indicator for Target 4.4, measuring the dissemination of skills.
4. Establishment of international partnerships: The mention of “Agile Spirit 25, a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led, multinational exercise” held “annually in Georgia” is a direct indicator of international cooperation for Target 17.6.
5. Development of sustainable infrastructure: The creation of a “mobile lab” that “functions as a forward tech shop” where soldiers can “fabricate FPV parts” and “maintain drone readiness” is an indicator of building resilient infrastructure (Target 9) and promoting sustainable practices like in-house repair (Target 12.5).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: defense.gov