NC SCOUT: On Small Units, Drones, Training and You

Its usually the Reddit never-will-be crowd that says this. Drones are an enabler and the concept of operation / integration in the small unit is similar to how Infantry Fighting Vehicles work in the mech Infantry Squad. Its another Fire Team in operation that’s tasked with R&S. https://t.co/tlI2WEdMsI

— NC Scout (@Brushbeater) May 18, 2026

I could go really deep in the weeds on this, but the Marine Corps’ 3 fire team concept lends itself perfectly to drone integration and flexibility of movement, although the Army’s Light Infantry Platoon doctrine is adaptable as well albeit with a higher signature.

Drones should be looked at in tiers of taskings that reflect the range of operation, individual equipment footprint, and overall capability.

We were doing this back in 2006/07 with the Raven, but it was too bulky, clunky, and labor intensive to really be done right.

What I’ve found in the years since is that a small inexpensive drone with a range inside of 1km is perfect for a squad. Something larger (think Autel) is better implemented at the Platoon level, and larger payload FPVs are great for both R&S and indirect fire support at the Company or Battalion tier.

We have the best price on Autel – Brushbeater Store

Drone ISR Course This Fall

By NC ScoutPublished On: May 19, 2026Categories: Uncategorized0 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .