The four-rotor drone was used during training maneuvers held at the U.S. Army Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif. where the data it collected was passed along to cyber intelligence officers for evaluation. In a real war situation the analyzed data would be provided to a brigade commander who would use it to make quick tactical decisions in his unit's area of operation, according to a U.S. Army Cyber Command statement. The type of data the drone is capable of gathering was not mentioned.
This project is part of the Army Cyber Command's larger effort to better integrate cyber security capabilities into battlefield level units. The concept will eventually see cyber as a combat branch in much the same manner as the infantry or artillery capable of defensive and offensive actions.
