Pentagon launches drone operator recruitment

The US Army is recruiting about one hundred drone operators to evaluate emerging military aircraft. The Defense Innovation Unit coordinates the effort to strengthen domestic defenses.

One point one billion dollar initiative

The Pentagon's drone initiative carries a one point one billion dollar funding commitment. Selected personnel will assess competing drone technologies to expand domestic production and military capabilities.

Gauntlet III seeks FPV drone experience

The recruitment campaign focuses on Gauntlet III, an evaluation exercise testing competing aircraft designs. It seeks troops who have flown first-person-view drones used for scouting and strikes.

No experience cap on registration

The Pentagon wants personnel with different skill levels and operational expertise.Erin Cherry, the initiative's testing lead, said there is no cap on the registry and they want to hear from any warfighter with FPV experience.

“There's no cap on the registry. We want to hear from any warfighter with FPV experience.”

Pilot skill means many different things

The Pentagon values diverse expertise including flying ability, tactical knowledge, payload experience, and specialized skills like long-distance navigation and urban flight. Personnel with limited experience may qualify.

“'Pilot skill' isn't just one thing. Flying ability, tactical knowledge, payload experience, and specialized skills like long-distance navigation and urban flight are all distinct, so we look at each one.”

Five months of flying can qualify you

The Pentagon wants operators at all proficiency levels to test how aircraft perform under different conditions. A drone that only works in expert hands is not ready for the force.

“A drone that only performs well in an expert's hands isn't ready for the force. Whether someone has been flying FPV for five years or five months, we want to hear from them.”

How to register for the program

Interested service members must complete the official Pilot Interest Form through the Pentagon's Drone Dominance recruitment platform using a valid military email address ending in point mil.