Military

The US Army intends to launch unmanned reconnaissance aircraft from high altitude

2025-01-20   

According to the website of Defense News magazine on January 11th, the US Army is soliciting information from the industry on unmanned aerial vehicle systems launched from mid to high altitude platforms, which will be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, according to a request for information published on the Federal Business Opportunity portal "Reward Management System". The solicitation stated that the Special Electronic Mission Aircraft Product Group under the Army Fixed Wing Aircraft Project Office plans to demonstrate the operational capabilities of the system in the 2026 fiscal year. The 'Launch Effect' system will be integrated into business jets such as the Bombardier G6500, which will operate at an average altitude of over 41000 feet (approximately 12.5 kilometers), with a vacuum speed exceeding 400 knots and a flight time of over 7 hours. This means that the system and its sensors need to survive for a long time in a low temperature environment of minus 65 degrees Celsius. Launch effect "is the term used by the Army for its envisioned unmanned aerial vehicle system, which can provide multiple capabilities such as targeting, reconnaissance, surveillance, network expansion, or kinetic strike. This type of system can be launched from both aerial and ground vehicles. According to the information request, the "launch effect" system will be carried on the aircraft using wing attachments and can be launched from the aircraft in flight. The development of this system represents a new direction for the Army's aviation investment portfolio, which prioritizes using drones and broader defined "launch effect" platforms as the spearhead of contact with the enemy. The army is vigorously developing and deploying "launch effect" technology on the battlefield, and is committed to accelerating the procurement of various "launch effect" systems with different ranges and flight speeds. A year ago, the army cancelled the manned "Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft" program and used some of the freed up funds to develop the "Launch Effect" system more quickly. In 2020, the Army selected 10 companies to provide it with mature mid-range "launch effect" technology. Earlier this year, the army selected five companies to jointly build prototypes, each of which will bring different elements to the "launch effect" system. Anduril Industries will provide aircraft. The company acquired Area-I, the developer of the "Altair" 700 drone, in 2021. For over 5 years, this drone has been used by the army to evaluate the "launch effect" technology. The medium range "launch effect" system will also be jointly developed with the Missile and Space Program Executive Office to meet its demand for launching long-range precision guided weapons from helicopters. The army is still developing short-range and long-range versions of the "launch effect" system, with plans to begin prototype development of the short-range version in early fiscal year 2025, and development work is expected to continue until fiscal year 2029. The Army plans to tender for remote systems in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, which is one year ahead of the original plan. In addition, the Army has expressed interest in testing "launch effect" systems on higher altitude platforms, such as balloons or long endurance, fixed wing, solar powered platforms capable of operating in the stratosphere. (New Society)

Edit:He ChenXi Responsible editor:Tang WanQi

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