US soldiers stormed a desert city in preparation for a high-tech war against a top foe. Here's how it went.
The US Army conducted a large-scale urban assault simulation at Fort Irwin to test the integration of new technologies like drones and software alongside traditional combat skills. The exercise highlighted the challenges of operating in extreme heat while balancing modern tech with fundamental infantry tactics.
Why it matters
It demonstrates how the military is evolving its training to prepare for 'peer adversary' conflicts by blending high-tech tools with traditional warfare.
Soldiers have regularly used this hot desert city as a training site and sandbox for testing new technologies. US Army photo by Sgt. Nathan Arellano Tlaczani US Army soldiers simulated an urban assault against a formidable adversary. Drones and new software played a role, but basic combat skills remained central. Testing new tech during regular training brought both opportunities and complications. The US Bradley Fighting Vehicles were visible on the horizon as they raced toward the city. Smoke, deployed to conceal movement, formed wisps around the outskirts. Assault forces, preparing to storm the enemy stronghold, gathered on the northern edge, navigating barbed wire, cars, and concrete blocks — enemy obstacles meant to slow the assault down. The urban assault, part of a simulated conflict against a formidable peer adversary, followed days of combat.
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