U.S. Army Uses Drone Boats to Escort Logistics Craft in Philippine Drill

The U.S. Army is deploying drone boats to guard its logistics vessels in the Philippines as the service trains to sustain forces in the first island chain. Fielded during this year’s army-to-army Salaknib exercise, the use of these unmanned vessels comes under the service’s broader efforts in the Western Pacific to experiment with new formations, technology and tactics that could prove crucial during a conflict with China. Troops from the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division deployed at least three unmanned surface vessels last week to establish a maritime security screen to protect a landing craft transporting Philippine Army vehicles. The drill