The U.S. Army’s commitment to modernizing its fleet of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) continues as it recently greenlit the development of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS), which promises to bring cutting-edge capabilities to the frontline.
The strategic move is set amid broader debates over how to integrate and manage drone technology within the Army’s structure, indicating a pivotal moment in military technology evolution.
On May 17, the Army approved an Abbreviated Capabilities Development Document (A-CDD), providing a solid framework for the FTUAS program.
As the Army phases out its aging Shadow drones, plans are in place to invest in prototypes that will undergo extensive testing in the coming years.
According to Lt. Gen. Karl Gingrich, Army G-8, the FTUAS will boast “plug-and-play” attributes such as network extension capabilities, potential lethal payloads, and advanced sensor packages. “You can actually kit this out,” Gingrich stated, highlighting the flexibility of the platform.
However, while the Army seeks to expedite the fielding of tactical UAS to replace the Shadow, the funding is not sufficient to accelerate the program ahead of the scheduled fielding to the first unit in 2026.
Maj. Gen. Wally Rugen, the Army’s G-3/5/7 aviation director, indicated that instead of hastening the schedule, efforts are focused on putting more units through the fielding process as a form of acceleration.
Concurrently, the House Armed Services Committee proposed establishing a dedicated drone corps within the Army, a move that could potentially disrupt the service’s overarching strategy for unmanned systems. Despite understanding lawmakers’ interest in the area, undersecretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo has reservations.
“Operating and defending against the drone threat is something that will be expected by all formations at multiple echelons,” Camarillo noted, suggesting that creating a singular drone branch might not align with the current focus of integrating UAS capabilities across various Army formations.
Further underlining the Army’s attention to evolving drone technologies, an investment of approximately $1.8 billion in counter-drone capabilities since FY17 points to an increasing prioritization in this domain.
With a projected increase in the FY26 budget request, the Army is eyeing small, commercial drones under 55 pounds, made cybersecure through the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS program.
Amid these developments, competitive flight demonstrations are forthcoming for the FTUAS program with Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems.
Soldiers will have the opportunity to evaluate prototypes that feature vertical takeoff and landing, reduced acoustic signatures, and rapid setup. This phase also includes verification efforts for Modular Open System Architecture.
The FTUAS initiative, conceived as a replacement for the Textron-made Shadow drone, comes at a time when the Army is scrutinizing its weapons portfolio, including launched effects, loitering munitions, and drones.
Acquisition head Doug Bush alluded to a dynamic landscape where technologies are blurring the lines between traditional UAS and missile systems, potentially signaling consolidations or cancelations in the roadmap slated for release this summer.
Relevant articles:
– US Army sets development plan for future tactical drone, Defense News
– Drone corps proposal would disrupt US Army plans, says undersecretary, C4ISRNet
– Army heads into competitive flight demos for future tactical drone, defensenews.com
– Army planning consolidation roadmap for loitering munitions and small drones, Breaking Defense