The Biggest Shift in Combat Doctrine.. The US Army "Replaces Steel with Blood"

SadaNews - The Washington Times reported that Alex Miller, the Chief Technology Officer of the US Army, stated that the military institution seeks to make a radical change in the way future wars are fought, by relying on replaceable smart technologies to carry out the most dangerous missions, such as breaching minefields, replenishing besieged troops, and evacuating the wounded from the front lines.

This move is considered one of the biggest shifts in the history of the US Army's traditional combat doctrine, which was described by the newspaper's defense and national security correspondent, John Seward, in his report as "replacing steel with blood."

Miller affirmed that this transformation is not limited to providing soldiers with additional tools but aims to make the entire army faster and more effective, in such a way that technology - not soldiers - faces the enemy first in battlefields.

According to the report, the increasing reliance on autonomous systems represents a significant cultural change within the US Army, as integrating artificial intelligence and advanced software has become a prerequisite for designing communication, intelligence, and military vehicle systems.

The Washington Times explained that the army's approach to conducting breaches has not fundamentally changed since the late 1980s, with the introduction of the "linear anti-mine charge," which is essentially a metallic cable equipped with explosives that are detonated to open a safe corridor for soldiers.

The newspaper mentioned that the US Army has tested, during military displays and field trials recently conducted, unmanned ground vehicles capable of breaching obstacles without exposing soldiers to explosive waves or enemy fire, in a model that developers describe as "integration between man and machine."

Technology in the Field

The newspaper noted that the army has adopted rapid weekly update cycles that allow technology to be introduced directly into training fields, enabling soldiers to modify and improve it themselves, as well as to manufacture replacement parts for drones using 3D printing.

Miller attributes this transformation to reforms in military procurement policies led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which removed many bureaucratic restrictions that hindered innovation.

Extensive testing of these technologies is currently underway in several major military formations, indicating that the shift is no longer theoretical.

The Washington Times concluded its report with a statement from Alex Miller in which he said that the army's goal is to maintain American superiority in defense technology and ensure that, in the situations involving the greatest risks on the battlefield, US adversaries face replaceable tools rather than soldiers.

He added, "We are not putting soldiers on the front line. We are replacing steel with blood, and the steel will be on our side, while the blood is on theirs."

Source: Washington Times