'A masterclass in sensor-to-shooter kill chain management': Blackhawk Company commander explains what he learned from controversial US-Ukraine 'drone-first' wargame
Ukraine’s drone experts turned American soldiers into the hunted
by https://www.techradar.com/author/efosa-udinmwen · TechRadarNews By Efosa Udinmwen Published 9 September 2026 2 min read
Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter
- Ukrainian drones forced American soldiers to rethink movement, concealment, and battlefield survival
- Blackhawk troops changed their tactics after persistent aerial surveillance exposed their movements
- American armored vehicles suffered losses despite attempts to conceal them from drones
A 10-day US Army combat training exercise in Germany has drawn attention after reports claimed Ukrainian drones overwhelmed an American mechanized company during the drill.
At the center of it is Blackhawk Company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, which spent the ten days training at a range in Hohenfels.
The company commander, Capt. Allan Watson, disputes that account, insisting the report failed to capture what his soldiers actually accomplished over those days.
Latest Videos FromTechRadarWatch full video here:
Entering a battlefield dominated by drones
Blackhawk Company entered a 14-by-27-kilometer range where Ukrainian personnel from the 412th Regiment supported opposing forces during initial operations.
The Ukrainian elite formation, called Nemesis, had battlefield experience and used aerial systems to observe American movements across the range.
The American unit claims to lack the counter-drone equipment its soldiers would have preferred throughout the event.
Rather than relying on unavailable equipment, soldiers altered how they occupied positions, moved vehicles, and concealed personnel from aerial observation.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors