From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 20s
Desert wargames tax batteries, feed tech wishlist
NZDF finds drone tech gaps after US desert wargames.
In brief
NZDF finds drone tech gaps after US desert wargames. NZ Defence Force identified needs for more strike drones, batteries and field repairs after US Army's Project Convergence Capstone 6 wargames. Originally reported by RNZ.
Desert wargames tax batteries
NZ Defence Force emerged from US army high-tech experiments with a wishlist for more strike drones, more powerful batteries and integrated robots.
“A desert trial exposed equipment limitations and institutional hurdles in the army's push to modernize and keep pace with an AI-savvy adversary”
US army struggles in desert
US media reported computer servers overheated and batteries died in the heat of the Mojave desert during Project Convergence Capstone 6.
“The activity reinforced the growing importance of power generation ... and the integration of UAS [unmanned aerial systems] ... and sensor-to-shooter capabilities as critical enablers of future combat effectiveness”
NZDF debriefs
NZDF debriefs showed combat effectiveness depends on technical expertise as much as traditional soldiering skills.
“The activity reinforced the growing importance of power generation ... and the integration of UAS [unmanned aerial systems] ... and sensor-to-shooter capabilities as critical enablers of future combat effectiveness”
Wolfpack munition
US army tested a long-range aerial munition that could operate as a 'wolfpack' to overwhelm enemy air defences.
“The munition could be fielded by next year”
NZ soldiers join exercise
A few dozen NZ soldiers joined Australian army's human-machine team in Convergence exercise Black Prince 3.
“The Australians have been exploring human-machine warfighting with Japan”
Tech wishlist
NZDF identified needs for common data standards, field repairs, more electricity and aerial drones.
“Soldiers needed to be able to make and repair drones on the battlefield - and have more electricity on hand to drive them and process all the data coming in”
Back to basics
NZ soldiers faced poor accommodation coordination and no full days off in six weeks.
“Personnel received no input into travel options regarding differences between commercial and military return flights”
Power hungry
Drones and electronic warfare weapons require more power, but forces lack fast chargers and standardised batteries.
“Power generation and energy resilience have become increasingly significant operational considerations”
Safety risks
Army trainers experienced a systemic uptick in catastrophic lithium battery fires.
“Safety risks were mounting, with army trainers experiencing a systemic uptick in catastrophic lithium battery fires”
Here's the gist
NZ Defence Force identified needs for more strike drones, batteries and field repairs after US Army's Project Convergence Capstone 6 wargames.
