Unmanned Aerial System

Mission — Unmanned Aerial System source

Project 3448 - MALE RDTE is pursuing MQ-9A mission (payloads/sensors) and mission enabler capabilities design, development capabilities and integration and testing. These capabilities will support the MALE program's electronic warfare, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), tactical edge automation, and airborne network support missions. Consisting of Common Operating and Intelligence Picture (COP/CIP), Detect and Avoid System (DAAS), Airborne Network Extension, Electronic Support development, integration and testing. Additionally, this RDTE is pursuing automated sensor synchronization and onboard forward edge data fusion and transmission using AI/ML apparatus that will transmit fused signals and visual information back to Marine and Joint intelligence apparatus and proliferate the information at the forward edge to stand-in forces (SIF) through the use of Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO). The PLEO SatCom capacity provides high data throughput and resilient command and control architecture. The USMC MALE program will be supported by UX-24 and VMX-1 as the primary test activity/squadron for capability development as well as system modification validation efforts. UX-24 will provide direct support of testing associated with payloads/sensors in support of USMC requirements. The payloads/sensors which undergo testing may require or drive hardware and software modifications during testing to satisfy system, subsystem and component level test parameters. VMX-1 provides operational test and evaluation of capabilities for MAGTF SIF such as the Marine Littoral Regiment. In FY25 the program will close out the current MDA pod development and transition to conducting studies, analysis, and prototype development for alternative material solutions to meet MALE MDA capability requirements. The FY 2026 cost of the Sky Tower II Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $60.9 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — Marine Group 5 UAS Development source

The FY 2026 MALE program funding, PE 0603128N, addresses requirements identified in the October 2016 MUX ICD and April 2020 MUX Requirements Clarification document. Project 3448 - MALE RDTE is pursuing MQ-9A mission (payloads/sensors) and mission enabler capabilities design, development capabilities and integration and testing. These capabilities will support the MALE program's electronic warfare, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), tactical edge automation, and airborne network support missions. Consisting of Common Operating and Intelligence Picture (COP/CIP), Detect and Avoid System (DAAS), Airborne Network Extension, Electronic Support development, integration and testing. Additionally, this RDTE is pursuing automated sensor synchronization and onboard forward edge data fusion and transmission using AI/ML apparatus that will transmit fused signals and visual information back to Marine and Joint intelligence apparatus and proliferate the information at the forward edge to stand-in forces (SIF) through the use of Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO). The PLEO SatCom capacity provides high data throughput and resilient command and control architecture. The USMC MALE program will be supported by UX-24 and VMX-1 as the primary test activity/squadron for capability development as well as system modification validation efforts. UX-24 will provide direct support of testing associated with payloads/sensors in support of USMC requirements. The payloads/sensors which undergo testing may require or drive hardware and software modifications during testing to satisfy system, subsystem and component level test parameters. VMX-1 provides operational test and evaluation of capabilities for MAGTF SIF such as the Marine Littoral Regiment. In FY25 the program will close out the current MDA pod development and transition to conducting studies, analysis, and prototype development for alternative material solutions to meet MALE MDA capability requirements.

Mission — Congressional Adds source

The Autonomous Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA) project provides funding to address capability gaps identified in the 2026 Fleet and COCOM Integrated Priority Lists (IPLs), including a need for persistent Command, Control, and Communications (C3) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This ultra-long endurance (ULE) solar-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS) is scheduled to culminate a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) in Q4FY24 by executing a 7-day flight demonstration with operationally relevant payloads integrated. Performance tagets for the AMPA Low-Rate Initial Production variant of the aircraft are a 90+ day endurance, up to an 800-pound payload capacity, and enough electrical power available (target goal is 2kW) to simultaneously operate a suite of C3 and ISR payloads.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)