Pitched for the Massed Modular Aircraft program run by the Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit, General Atomics says its new drone design can exceed requirements set by the Pentagon to succeed the MQ-9A Reaper.
“There's no doubt if we try and pursue the exact same approach that we had with things like the MQ-9, we're going to get something that costs about the same as an MQ-9,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi.
Models that replicate real-world physics streamline design, testing and iteration processes.
A separate competition to replace the MQ-9A Reaper is expected to kick off a concept refinement stage early in the next fiscal year, according to an Air Force official.
“I believe they put a silly goal in here for a low end [cost],” Dave Alexander told Breaking Defense. “Anybody that bids that number is very suspicious.”
The notice comes after nearly 30 Reapers were reportedly lost in combat against Iran.
“There is, I think, a burgeoning interest across the broader defense industrial base on what comes next,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey.
Lightning Surge exercises are turning soldier feedback on NGC2 into operational software changes in days, not years.
The loss of an American fighter jet over Iran would appear to be the first manned American aircraft downed over Iran during Operation Epic Fury.
A collection of photos from the first few days on the ground at the Singapore Airshow.
A senior AFRICOM official told Breaking Defense the command is still looking to shore up ISR capabilities after the 2024 Niger exit.
In an age defined by rapid technological evolution and operational complexity, GA-ASI’s Modernized Gray Eagle® ER and Gray Eagle® STOL remain the gold standard.
A decorated combat aviator and biotech CEO advocates preparing for novel viral threats before the next crisis.
Right now, DARPA's Kathleen Fisher said, much of the defense industrial base is "choosing to leave the doors open, leave the windows up and not use the locks" in cyberspace.
The Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve, brainchild of Pentagon CTO Heidi Shyu, has funded low-profile but high-value niche technologies the services couldn’t or wouldn’t, from robot boats to a multi-domain targeting node.
Denmark was also approved to potentially receive thousands of GPS guidance kits for 155mm shells.
The Swarm Carrier would be one of three drone types that Air Force Special Operations Command expects will strengthen a budding initiative to incorporate more autonomous systems in missions.