Fort Hood Soldiers Train With Life-saving Breaching Tech

New technology could keep Fort Hood soldiers out of the line of fire.

Breaching Technology Arrives at Fort Hood

Soldiers with the 36th Engineer Brigade are learning how to use new technology that controls breaching machinery remotely. Breaching machinery is designed to break through barriers, allowing access.

New Technology at Fort Hood Could Save Lives

The process of breaching barriers is a dangerous operation with a mortality rate of almost 50 percent. Removing soldiers physically from the process would save countless lives. Maj. Mike Caddigan, Brigade Operations Officer, 36th Engineer Brigade told KWTX that the goal is to remove soldiers from the breach by using unmanned vehicles.

Three Different Types of Vehicles will Replace Soldiers

According to KWTX, the semi-autonomous breaching process will use overhead drones for intelligence gathering and smoke, Mine Clearing Line Charge vehicles and bulldozers for cutting holes for entry. A year of preparation went into using the new technology.

Three Companies Are Chosen to Create Unmanned ISVs

The U.S. Army has chosen three companies to develop autonomous Infantry Support Vehicles. According to breakingdefense.com, the new Unmanned Systems (UxS) autonomy initiative will be comprised of Forterra, Overland AI and Scout AI. The U.S. government will spend a total of $15.5 million for the three companies to integrate their commercial autonomy solution onto existing ISVs. The deal requires that the prototypes be delivered to the Army for demonstration and evaluation in May 2026.

The U.S. Army’s Transforming in Contact Initiative

The initiative is an effort to modernize armored formations which will lead to fewer casualties in combat. According to the U.S. Department of War, soldiers assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Fort Hood's first live-fire exercise of the Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition System, on September 15th.

The Switchblade 600

The tube-launched, unmanned aircraft system has been utilized by Special Operations Forces, and light infantry units, but the 1st Cavalry Division was among the first armored units to field the system. The Switchblade 600 is part of the evolution into the next phase of warfare that incorporates drones and advanced communications. Officials say the Switchblade provides the ability to strike from much farther away, increasing lethality, while minimizing collateral damage.