Adapt or be Outflown: Translating Russo-Ukrainian sUAS Lessons Learned for Military Readiness
Date
Friday February 27, 202612:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
Law Building - Room 2 (128 Union St.)
The proliferation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) witnessed during the Russo-Ukraine war is transforming how nations view readiness for Large-Scale Combat Operations. In one year, production goals in Ukraine more than doubled, with 2025 projections aiming to field over 4.5 million sUAS on the battlefield. While the long-term effects of sUAS proliferation on military operations remain unknown, the immediate impacts on combat operations are well-documented. The presentation examines how militaries can leverage lessons from the war, as well as ongoing Transformation in Contact (TiC) efforts, to make meaningful changes in procurement to close technological gaps and in institutional training to secure the future professional growth of unmanned operations.
Bio:
LTC Nicholas (Nick) Currie is the United States Army Visiting Defense Fellow to the Centre for International and Defence Policy, Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario. Nick has 18 years of service with the United States Armed Forces as an Army Aviator. Nick has three operational deployments to Afghanistan focusing on security and stability operations; and recently completed his command of 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment.
Nick served in various command and staff positions - including postings to US Special Operation Command, the 82nd Airborne, and the 101st Airborne. He is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College - earning a Master's of Defence Studies from Australia National University. Nick received a Master’s Degree in Aviation Safety from Florida Institute of Technology, and he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He earned multiple awards during his career, to include the Senior Aviator badge, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.