CLARKE RANGE, Aniston, Ala. – The Army is rapidly advancing the next generation of platoon-level UAS by leveraging commercial solutions and developments to deliver cutting-edge Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS). This month, the Capability Program Executive (CPE) Aviation’s Project Manager for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) hosted industry partners at Clarke Range near Anniston, Alabama, to conduct flight demonstrations for platoon-level Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) drones.
Platoon-level UAS are part of the Army’s strategy to equip every echelon with scaled, persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capability. The deployment and evaluation of these SUAS support the Army’s transformation efforts – evaluating UAS and aligning personnel and tactics with new lethal technologies. They are integral to modern warfare and will amplify combat power, improve troop survivability, and give commanders superior reconnaissance air vehicles on the battlefield.
Platoon-level UAS act as force multipliers, enabling kinetic effects, supporting ground operations, enhancing operational flexibility, and contributing to troop survivability.
Providing Next-Generation SUAS Capabilities
Earlier this spring, PM UAS released a Call for Solutions (C4S) in conjunction with the UAS Marketplace acquisition strategy, seeking solutions on current small UAS technology. Over a dozen systems met selection criteria for platoon level UAS based on paper responses, and the vendors were invited to demonstrate their systems and capabilities at the end of June.
“To ensure our formations have the best advantage on a constantly evolving battlefield, the Army and its industry partners must advance SUAS capability faster than ever before,” said Lt. Col. Mike Carroll, Product Manager for SUAS. “The combination of the UAS Marketplace contracting strategy, our vendors’ quick response to demand signal, and our Soldiers’ invaluable feedback ensure the Army is fielding the right capability at the right time.”
The SUAS Product Office uses a multi-vendor approach to drive competition and deliver technology at the speed of relevance. Following the fly-off demonstrations, the Product Office selected systems from Parrot Drones, Skydio, Inc., Skycutter, Teal Drones, and Vantage Robotics to assess manufacturing readiness. The Army remains steadfast in its mission to give Soldiers essential equipment to support its broader transformational objectives.
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