# U.S. armored brigade struggled against Ukrainian drone unit in German exercise

_Published Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 3:26 PM EDT · Robotics · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![a drone flying near an armored vehicle — Primary](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dzh32tXeHa6C5hDgEq5SEo-1920-80.png)

At the Combined Resolve exercise in Germany, the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division faced an opposing force augmented by Ukraine's 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade.

The source, citing the Wall Street Journal, reports that simulated drone attacks eliminated many of the brigade's tanks and armored vehicles despite its electronic-warfare and counter-drone operators. Vehicle dust plumes helped reconnaissance drones locate targets, followed by explosive-dropping or first-person-view attack drones. The exercise recorded no real losses; adjudicated vehicles returned to the rear before resuming play.

## Sources

- [Tom's Hardware](https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/drones/ukrainian-drone-regiment-decimates-3-500-strong-u-s-armored-brigade-combat-team-in-war-game-reveals-shortcomings-in-american-response-as-drones-easily-spotted-and-destroyed-tanks-and-heavy-armored-vehicles)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/U_cibtX4SeYkCrj67FNRq2
Published: 2026-08-16T19:26:40.324Z
Story chronology: 2026-08-16T10:00:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-01T00:30:06.650Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)