The Army Brief: Countering drones; Gen Z leadership needs; Blackhawk evaluation; and more...

Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future. 

Scaling counter-drone plans. The use of small to large drones in the war in Ukraine has the Army thinking their counter-drone options should be scalable, Defense One reports. The service wants to provide two divisions with anti-drone weapons by the end of September. 

Transparency matters. Members of Gen Z want to be told why they’re being asked to do a task, but leaders within special operation forces are not typically so forthcoming, and that could affect motivation for younger troops, according to a new study, Defense One reports. Additionally, traits currently valued by SOF leaders, such as a warrior mindset and a sense of initiative, were not seen as important by the younger generation.

Helicopter progress. The UH-60V Blackhawk completed its initial operational test and evaluation, bringing the aircraft a step closer to starting full-rate production, the Army’s Program Executive Office for Aviation said in a statement. The testing involved hundreds of flight hours to make sure it meets its requirements. The aircraft has a “digital glass cockpit” with screens instead of analog gauges, and an “integrated avionics suite,” according to the Army.

Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On Aug. 24, 1901, Clara Maass died of yellow fever after being infected by a mosquito as part of an experiment to determine whether a previous infection was enough to immunize her. Maass, who had previously served as an Army contract nurse helping soldiers recover from diseases including yellow fever, volunteered to participate in the Army-led experiment.

From Defense One

Defense One Radio, Ep. 107: The legacy of America's Afghan war, with Elliot Ackerman // Ben Watson

Two Afghanistan war veterans discuss some of the toughest lessons from America's 20-year war.

'We Need to Own the Heat The Way We Now Own Night,' Pentagon Climate Leader Says // Patrick Tucker

Tactical cooling vests and other adaptations will be needed as dangerous temperatures arrive on training ranges and in combat zones.

Army's Next Helicopters Are Still a Ways Off—But Their Digital Links Are Already Changing the Battle // Elizabeth Howe

Open, modular electronics are key to a vast leap forward in capability, says Future Vertical Lift Program director.