US Army orders Improved Gray Eagle
The US Army has awarded a full-rate production contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA‑ASI) for 19 Improved Gray Eagle (IGE) UAS to be delivered by September 2018, the company announced on 14 October.
IGE is a next-generation derivative of the army’s Gray Eagle UAS, developed by GA-ASI on internal research and development funds. The aircraft can perform longer missions at extended ranges than the Gray Eagle, allowing the aircraft to operate from safe locations and transit into areas of conflict.
IGE has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 4,200lbs and has 850lbs of internal fuel load and a centreline hard point that can accommodate an optional fuel pod with an additional 450lbs. It has an endurance of 40 hours.
Numerous software and hardware commonalities between the two types allows the IGE to be based, maintained, and operated in the same units and at the same locations as Gray Eagle.
Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, said: ‘We are very pleased that the army has awarded us this production contract for IGE, which delivers a high-value solution for accomplishing multiple mission types, all at an affordable cost. IGE provides better endurance, additional payload capacity, easier maintenance, and extended life cycle of critical components.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.