If you drop into Verdansk frequently, you know how a seasonal update alters gunfights. Activision brought heavy additions, and players want to understand the Warzone Season 5 update.
In the following lines, you will discover the location of Drone Labs, how to unlock the JLTV armored vehicle, limited-time modes, and the Machine of War event.
What’s new in Warzone Season 5?

Warzone Season 5 update brings the new Drone Labs Point of Interest to Verdansk, located between Quarry, Farms, and TV Station. The patch introduces the Armed JLTV armored vehicle, mobile drone Buy Stations, and the limited-time modes Casual Lockdown and Heavy Metal Heroes.
The arrival of Season 5 reshapes navigation in the eastern sector of Verdansk. Drone Labs features two main buildings connected by a suspension bridge and zipline, offering vertical combat and valuable loot on every floor.
The test track and the Armed JLTV vehicle
North of Drone Labs, a test track intensifies ground battles. Operators can unlock the Armed JLTV armored vehicle, equipped with a mounted machine gun, by completing a side mission in the area.
Limited-time modes in Call of Duty Warzone

The pace of the season got faster with the arrival of exclusive playlists in Call of Duty Warzone. The rotation focuses on fast-paced urban skirmishes and massive vehicle warfare.
Check out the main attractions introduced in this update:
- Drone Labs POI: tech complex featuring legendary loot located between Quarry and Farms.
- Armed JLTV Vehicle: armored transport equipped with a mounted machine gun, unlocked via a side mission.
- Mobile Drone Buy Stations: drones carrying Buy Stations arriving in waves throughout the match.
- Casual Lockdown Mode: zone control battles around Drone Labs with mixed teams of players and bots.
- Heavy Metal Heroes Mode: 50v50 combat focused on vehicles and special mobility abilities.
Casual Lockdown mode and 50v50 Heavy Metal Heroes warfare
Casual Lockdown brings 24 participants together competing over rotating zones around Drone Labs. Meanwhile, Heavy Metal Heroes pits two massive teams in a 50v50 confrontation, offering grappling hooks and kinetic jumps with every elimination.
To compare the new modes in Call of Duty Warzone, see the table below:
| Game Mode | Match Size | Gameplay Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Lockdown | 24 Players (with Bots) | Zone control at Drone Labs and random Juggernaut drops |
| Heavy Metal Heroes | 50v50 (100 Players) | Vehicle warfare, grappling hooks, and kinetic jumps |
| Machine of War (Event) | All Modes | Fuel gathering to unlock the Mammoth LMG |
Machine of War event and weapon adjustments

The update brought the Machine of War event, challenging players to collect fuel canisters during matches. By completing targets, operators earn themed camos and the Mammoth LMG.
Rifle rebalancing and task guide
Weapon rebalancing reduced the damage range of the AN-94 assault rifle and the accuracy of the Swordfish A1. On the other hand, the DS20 Mirage SMG received a buff to its dual-fire kit.
Follow these numbered tasks to master the season’s events:
- Visit the Drone Labs POI on the Verdansk map to complete the Armed JLTV vehicle side mission.
- Enter Casual Lockdown matches to test your loadouts and score Juggernaut eliminations.
- Collect fuel canisters in any match to unlock the Mammoth LMG in the Machine of War event.
- Build new assault rifle loadouts to compensate for the nerfs applied to the AN-94 and Swordfish A1.
Is it worth checking out what’s new in Warzone Season 5?
The addition of Drone Labs and mobile drone Buy Stations changes rotation strategy and gear hunting. The new modes bring fast matches for those who want to test weapons without the traditional pressure of battle royale.
The verdict for Verdansk operators
Whether driving the JLTV armored vehicle or farming the Mammoth LMG, exploring Warzone Season 5 update guarantees an indispensable competitive edge with every d