Army picks Griffon, Textron to proceed with RQ-7B Shadow replacement competition

Army picks Griffon, Textron to proceed with RQ-7B Shadow replacement competition
Army picks Griffon, Textron to proceed with RQ-7B Shadow replacement competition

The Army’s FTUAS Increment 2 downselect means three teams will not move forward, including AeroVironment that provided the interim solution with its Jump 20 system.

US Army picks 5 companies to compete for RQ-7B Shadow replacement

US Army picks 5 companies to compete for RQ-7B Shadow replacement
US Army picks 5 companies to compete for RQ-7B Shadow replacement

The service is breaking up the FTUAS Inc 2 program into five development stages.

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A solution rises for Middle East nations that demand persistent ISR for border and maritime security

A solution rises for Middle East nations that demand persistent ISR for border and maritime security
A solution rises for Middle East nations that demand persistent ISR for border and maritime security

A VTOL system with no stick or rudder plus beyond line-of-sight ISR meets the demands of the UAE and its Middle East neighbors.

SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house

SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house
SNC buys drone firm Volansi, will produce new systems in house

SNC bought the firm in part to continue competing for the Army’s Future Tactical Unmanned Systems Increment 2 program.

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Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations

Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations
Better, smarter UAS have intelligence and resilience for denied operations

Continued operation in RF environments — whether that’s GPS denial or communications disruption — is the number one need for tactical unmanned aerial systems.

AeroVironment wins first increment of Army’s future tactical drone competition

AeroVironment wins first increment of Army’s future tactical drone competition
AeroVironment wins first increment of Army’s future tactical drone competition

The Army will ship AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 to a brigade to meet an immediate operational need to replace RQ-7 Shadow. The service is holding a separate competitive rapid prototyping effort for increment two.

Army Wants To Accelerate FTUAS Drone

Army Wants To Accelerate FTUAS Drone
Army Wants To Accelerate FTUAS Drone

“I think it’s unanimous from all the soldiers involved that we got this one right,” said the Army’s project manager for the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System. Manned aircraft, FARA and FLRAA, are also moving out sharply.

FTUAS: Army Blown Away By New Drones (In Rain)

FTUAS: Army Blown Away By New Drones (In Rain)
FTUAS: Army Blown Away By New Drones (In Rain)

“Shadow could never fly in this type of moisture, couldn’t even come close,” Brig. Gen. Walter Rugen said, but all four FTUAS candidates made it through the rain. The formal Army Requirements Oversight Council process begins in weeks.

COVID Can’t Stop A Busy Summer For Army FVL

COVID Can’t Stop A Busy Summer For Army FVL
COVID Can’t Stop A Busy Summer For Army FVL

Despite disruptions worldwide, Future Vertical Lift flight tests, virtual industry days, and design reviews are all moving ahead on schedule or mere weeks behind.

COVID-19 Won’t Slow New Army Weapons: McCarthy, Murray, Jette

COVID-19 Won’t Slow New Army Weapons: McCarthy, Murray, Jette
COVID-19 Won’t Slow New Army Weapons: McCarthy, Murray, Jette

While some prototype deliveries and field tests are being delayed, Army leaders said, there’s enough slack in the schedule that combat units will still get the new tech on time.

COVID-19: Masked Army Soldiers Test New Drones

COVID-19: Masked Army Soldiers Test New Drones
COVID-19: Masked Army Soldiers Test New Drones

Troops in improvised face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 have begun field testing one candidate for the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (FTUAS).

FVL: Attack Of The Drones

FVL: Attack Of The Drones
FVL: Attack Of The Drones

Before manned aircraft enter hostile airspace, three different types of drones – long-range, tactical, and miniaturized – will rip open the seams in the enemy’s defenses.

Future Vertical Lift: Army’s Aerial Vanguard

Future Vertical Lift: Army’s Aerial Vanguard
Future Vertical Lift: Army’s Aerial Vanguard

The Army isn’t just replacing old helicopters. It’s building a networked “ecosystem” of mutually supporting manned and unmanned weapons that can drive a flying wedge into Russian and Chinese air defenses.

Rival Shadow Drone Replacements Head To Combat Units For Tests

Rival Shadow Drone Replacements Head To Combat Units For Tests
Rival Shadow Drone Replacements Head To Combat Units For Tests

The Army aims to replace its RQ-7 Shadow with a new, more nimble drone that doesn’t require a runway, to better scout and survive in fast-moving conflicts with great powers.