US Army Seeks About 100 Drone Operators for Pentagon Evaluations

The US Army is seeking about 100 service members with first-person-view (FPV) drone experience to evaluate emerging aircraft technologies. The effort is coordinated by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for the Pentagon’s $1.1 billion Drone Dominance program.

The campaign centers on Gauntlet III, an upcoming exercise that will test competing aircraft designs. Erin Cherry, the initiative’s testing lead, said registration has no cap and is open to any warfighter with FPV experience. DIU also plans to build a permanent database of qualified operators from different military branches.

Organizers are interested in varied skills, including flying ability, tactical knowledge, payload experience, long-distance navigation and urban flight. The recruitment also welcomes people with limited experience: Cherry said operators with five years or five months of FPV flying experience are both encouraged to register. The evaluations will help officials assess aircraft performance across different skill levels and operational needs.

Interested service members must complete the official Pilot Interest Form on the Drone Dominance recruitment platform and provide a valid military email address ending in .mil. Registration does not guarantee selection; participation also requires coordination with the applicant’s military branch.

Selected participants could operate recently developed aircraft, including experimental models not yet in regular service with US forces. Some may receive instruction on expendable attack drones. Their assessments will inform procurement decisions, as the Pentagon plans to prioritize aircraft that perform effectively in competitive trials.