US Army invests in Gray Eagle ER capabilities
The US Army has awarded multiple contracts to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to upgrade the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range's (GE ER) capabilities and survivability.
The company will enhance the aircraft’s avionics, datalinks and software in order to improve the MQ-1C's operational capability in contested environments.
The improvements will be achieved via an open architecture concept that is capable of hosting government-owned software, as well as increased autonomy required to support Scalable Control Interface and the rapid integration of long-range sensors, both of which will enable the army’s vision for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).
David Alexander, president, GA-ASI, said: ‘The army is investing in the Gray Eagle system because they get a tremendous performance increase as a return on their investment.
‘GE-ER provides the US Army with a UAS that adjusts to the changing threat environment and mission needs with unmatched endurance.’
GA-ASI recently completed an open competition to modernise the datalinks on the UAS. Tenets for the competition included modular architecture with government-owned interfaces, reduction in size, weight and power, with increased reliability, soldier maintainability, and growth for future MDO requirements. Vendors selected include L3Harris Technologies, Airbus, Hughes Network Systems and Ramona Research.
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.