U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- Dust swirls in the air as propellers engage, sending a small drone on a crucial, innovative mission. U.S. Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron were behind the controls as they operated a Parrot ANAFI USA drone to assess the integrity of the installation fuel system within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 1, 2025.
The drone is employed as part of the 378th ELRS’s innovative process to utilize an autonomous platform that incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning to observe and detect potential threats to tactical fuel systems, perform airfield assessments and post-attack reconnaissance, all while operating in an austere environment.
“The intent of this project is to develop a small package that can be employed by 378th ELRS fuels management flight that are supporting a Mission Generation Force Element under a rapid scheme of maneuver - the movement of personnel, material and equipment to support the Combatant Commander,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nathan Tilton, 378th ELRS commander.
The process of adopting drones into LRS began in the summer of 2024, as a stateside Air Force installation’s LRS partnered with U.S. Air Forces Central Command Battle Lab on logistics requirements within the AOR. While discussing innovative capabilities, the topic of daily inspections on deployed fuel systems arose.
The Battle Lab researched and acquired a commercial system, worked with researchers from the Office of Naval Research to test the software, and then provided drone operator training to stateside LRS Airmen.
“The use of small drones will enable us to reduce the amount of personnel and time required to inspect our fuel system,” said Tilton. “It also increases the probability of detecting miniscule leaks and other threats to our system. Ultimately, we are reducing the risk to operators that must inspect the miles of pipelines and the multiple fuel bladders currently in operation.”
While running daily fuel systems inspections, 378th ELRS Airmen confront the risk of being exposed to desert elements, leaking fuel or foreign objects that could cause damage to themselves or the fuel system.
The Battle Lab, a technology innovation accelerator, is dedicated to driving the rapid development, testing and deployment of advanced solutions for AFCENT. Partnering with the Air Force Research Laboratory, George Mason University, the Office of Naval Research and other industry and academic leaders, the Battle Lab operates as a forward-leaning integration hub. Their mission is to enhance operational capabilities, optimize processes and maintain technological superiority through strategic partnerships, agile experimentation and hands-on training for warfighters.
With a focus on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and digital engineering, the Battle Lab is shaping the future of warfare by delivering game-changing solutions at the speed of relevance.
“Innovation isn’t just about new technology,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Charles LeDeatte, AFCENT Battle Lab director and chief technology officer. “It's about transforming how we operate, enhancing mission readiness and protecting our Airmen. The LRS Drone/Fuel project demonstrates how we can leverage autonomous systems to reduce operational risks and enhance efficiency.”
The 378th ELRS currently operates and maintains the largest tactical fuel site in the AFCENT AOR. Utilizing this innovative process, 378th ELRS Airmen execute critical daily inspections with enhanced precision and reduced labor intensity, optimizing operational efficiency.
“Our equipment and processes are based on decades old lessons learned. It is time to develop new lessons, new processes, and new equipment as we transition to a lighter, leaner, more capable Air Expeditionary Wing,” said Tilton.
By leveraging partnerships, the emergent technology was software tested and rapidly deployed to provide field validation, ensuring safe and effective deployment, aligning with Battle Lab’s structured approach of technology scouting, transition and experimentation.
“Looking forward, this innovation directly supports AFCENT’s goals of reducing operational risk, enhancing detection capabilities, and optimizing manpower by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning driven autonomous platforms,” said LeDeatte.