# Army sets 180-day rule for new tech before combat training

> The US Army is establishing strict timelines for introducing new technologies like drones to soldiers to avoid distracting them from warfighting preparation.
- Title: Army sets 180-day rule for new tech before combat training
- Summary: The US Army is establishing strict timelines for introducing new technologies like drones to soldiers to avoid distracting them from warfighting preparation…
- Keywords: us army, drones, combat training, military technology, soldier training, equipment integration, james isenhower, combined arms command, unmanned systems, force-on-force operations, business, technology
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/us-army-new-technology-combat-training-2026-9
- Author: Chris Panella
- Published: 2026-09-18T11:30:01.277+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us army, drones, combat training, military technology, soldier training, equipment integration, james isenhower, combined arms command, unmanned systems, force-on-force operations, business, technology
## Army drowning soldiers in new tech
US soldiers are experimenting with growing numbers of new technologies, especially drones, but Army leaders say troops can't master unfamiliar systems while simultaneously preparing for combat.
## The 180-day rule explained
The Army established a requirement that new equipment must be given to soldiers at least 180 days before they enter combat training exercises, giving them time to integrate the technology at home station.

> We've established a temporal threshold 180 days out where we have to give them that equipment then, so that they have sufficient time at home station to integrate that.
## Why the rule came about
Army leaders realized soldiers were exhausted from the push and pull of learning new technology while preparing for force-on-force operations, so they owe troops more time to understand equipment before fighting.

> We've realized the reality is we, I think, owe them more time so they can integrate that equipment and focus on fighting the enemy as opposed to what, often times, is a focus on simply trying to understand the equipment.
## Drones now in every squad
The Army is exposing soldiers to drone warfare early in their careers through basic training. Nearly every Army squad has now trained with drones, but the challenge is turning that exposure into real operational capability.

> At this point, you would be hard-pressed to find an Army squad who has not had a drone in their formation and trained with it.
## Soldiers hold back during testing
At Project Convergence Capstone in July at Fort Irwin, soldiers deliberately didn't push drones to their limits because they wanted to keep them operational for more practice, rather than testing what would break them.
## Spreading drone lessons across Army
The Army phased out its Unmanned Assault Battalion, an experimental unit specializing in drone tactics, deciding instead to spread drone lessons across all formations to better prepare soldiers for future wars.
## Key takeaway

Soldiers need at least 180 days to master new equipment before entering combat training exercises, or they'll focus on learning the tech instead of fighting.