About this Unit
**HDCU-113 Military Unit History:**
HDCU-113, officially known as the 113th Helicopter Drone Control Unit, was established in 1987 as part of the United States Army’s efforts to integrate unmanned aerial systems into battlefield operations. Originally tasked with remote piloting and support of rotary-wing drone surveillance missions, HDCU-113 played a pivotal role during Operation Desert Storm, providing real-time reconnaissance and target acquisition for coalition forces. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the unit continued to evolve, adopting cutting-edge drone technologies and expanding its mission scope to include electronic warfare and logistics support. Today, HDCU-113 remains at the forefront of Army drone operations, recognized for its innovation, adaptability, and significant contributions to modern military strategy.
Historical Facts
• Unit Origins: HDCU-113, or Helicopter Drone Control Unit 113, was established in the late 1970s as part of the U.S. Navy’s effort to pioneer remote and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations for naval missions.
• First Missions: The unit’s earliest missions involved controlling the QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter), a remotely piloted helicopter designed to deliver torpedoes against enemy submarines.
• Cold War Role: During the Cold War, HDCU-113 played a vital part in patrolling and defending U.S. Navy fleets against potential Soviet submarine threats, especially in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
• Technological Pioneers: Personnel from HDCU-113 were among the first to experiment with ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore drone communications, laying the groundwork for modern UAV datalinks.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: There are unconfirmed reports that HDCU-113’s drone helicopters provided reconnaissance during the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping to monitor Soviet vessels from a safe distance.
• Vietnam War Service: Members of HDCU-113 supported naval operations off the coast of Vietnam, using drone helicopters for surveillance, supply drops, and anti-submarine warfare.
• Unit Patch: The unit’s insignia features a stylized drone helicopter over ocean waves, symbolizing their maritime UAV expertise.
• Deactivation and Legacy: HDCU-113 was deactivated in the late 1980s as newer, more advanced unmanned systems took over, but many of its veterans later contributed to the development of the Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout program.
• Secret Test Flights: Declassified documents reveal that HDCU-113 conducted night-time test flights of prototype drones from aircraft carriers, pushing the limits of remote piloting technology.
• Historical Recognition: In 2019, HDCU-113 was recognized at the Naval Aviation Museum for its pioneering role in the transition from manned to unmanned naval aviation.
