Revolutionary Targeting System Could Enable Small Army Teams to Strike 1,000 Targets Per Hour.
In a groundbreaking development, the U.S. Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps has been refining a cutting-edge targeting system capable of allowing small teams to engage up to 1,000 targets per hour. The system, known as the Maven Smart System, is a product of the Scarlet Dragon experiments, which have been ongoing since late 2020 and are now actively utilized in U.S. Central Command operations.
Evolution of the Scarlet Dragon Experiment
The Scarlet Dragon experiment was initiated by the XVIII Airborne Corps, which oversees some of the Army’s most elite units, including the 82nd Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 101st Airborne Division, and 3rd Infantry Division. The first iteration of Scarlet Dragon began with a collaboration between the Army and the Marine Corps' II Marine Expeditionary Force. This early experiment involved using commercial satellite imagery combined with an algorithm to detect and target an inflatable tank positioned at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
Initially, the process to pass the targeting data to the Marine missile system took more than 12 hours. However, through relentless innovation and refinement, the targeting process has been dramatically reduced to under one minute, showcasing a quantum leap in operational efficiency.
The Maven Smart System: A Game-Changer
The Maven Smart System is the core of this new capability, integrating sensors and sophisticated software with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This combination enables users to rapidly analyze vast amounts of data and identify targets with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Brig. Gen. John Cogbill, deputy commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps, emphasized the system's readiness, stating, “This is a tool that we can ‘fight tonight’ with.”
The development of the Maven system was heavily influenced by Gen. Michael Kurilla, who, during his tenure as commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, expressed a desire for the first AI-enabled Corps in the Army. Now, as head of U.S. Central Command, Kurilla has integrated Maven's capabilities into CENTCOM’s operations, demonstrating its versatility beyond targeting to include logistical applications.
Strategic Implications and Future Applications
The Maven Smart System not only represents a significant technological advancement but also offers strategic advantages. The system's ability to streamline the targeting process has matched the efficiency of the time-critical target cell used during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), which was once considered the gold standard in U.S. military history. Notably, while the OIF targeting cell required over 2,000 personnel, the Maven system achieved comparable results with just 20 soldiers.
The Army is also exploring the potential of Maven to enhance logistical operations. By providing commanders with a comprehensive view of supply chains and enabling scenario-based planning, the system could revolutionize how the military manages resources in real time.
The Road Ahead
The Scarlet Dragon experiments are set to continue, with another round scheduled for the coming months and a series of further tests planned throughout 2025. The system is also slated for a significant debut during the Yama Sakura training exercise in late 2026, a U.S.-Japanese military command post exercise in the Pacific.
The Maven Smart System is not just a technological marvel; it represents a paradigm shift in how the U.S. Army approaches both targeting and logistics. As it continues to evolve, this system could redefine the capabilities of small Army units, making them more lethal, efficient, and responsive than ever before.
