Merely eight months after securing second place at the XVIII Airborne Corps’ Dragon’s Lair event held at Fort Bragg, a modular drone case designed by two 82nd Airborne paratroopers has begun mass production.
Leading up to the contest, SPC Alexander Soto, who serves with the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was determined to create a solution for safeguarding drones in combat. He remarked, “We needed a way to transport drones in our rucksacks efficiently for airborne missions. A compact, rigid case would allow us to pack them and deploy quickly once we hit the drop zone.”
After presenting his idea, Soto collaborated with SSG Larry Dockins from the Airborne Innovation Lab to construct a prototype. Within just three months, they developed a lightweight yet durable case. Soto emphasized that this compact case not only shields the drones but also features compartments that allow soldiers to deploy the drones swiftly upon landing.
What is the U.S. Army’s Dragon Lair?
The 2025 version of the Airborne Corps’ Dragon’s Lair represents its 11th year, drawing inspiration from the “Shark Tank” concept for entrepreneurs with innovative products and ideas. Nonetheless, the timeline for developing the drone case was notably expedited owing to the Airborne Corps’ initiative, the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP), adopting the drone case for its new rapid procurement framework.
Established in 2026 and named in honor of Lt. Gen. James Gavin, who led the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II, notably through pivotal events like D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, the JIOP is designed to foster the development and testing of next-generation capabilities while establishing long-lasting collaborations between military, industry, and academia. Rob Braun, Chief Technology Officer of the XVIII Airborne Corps, stated, “This represents an investment in the future, aiming to forge advancements that enhance the lethality and survival of our soldiers.”
By facilitating innovative ideas from the Dragon’s Lair through the JIOP, it guarantees that the solutions proposed are ones that soldiers find practical and beneficial, as emphasized by Col. Thomas R. Monaghan Jr., Director of the JIOP. Although the drone case may seem minor at first glance, Soto highlighted its significance in providing additional space for essential gear while addressing the recurring issue of drone damage during missions. As drones become an increasingly critical tool in combat, developing protective solutions that also minimize space is viewed as vital.
