Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS)

Mission — Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) source

The Future Uncrewed Aircraft System (FUAS) is a critical system in the cross-domain capabilities concept that will employ multi-domain operation (MDO) capabilities at all echelons and allow ground-based forces to project power from land into other domains to defeat highly capable enemies, secure terrain, and consolidate gains. FUAS encompasses an array of capabilities from platoon Soldiers to Division Commanders. The Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) approved the FUAS Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) on 6 Mar 2019. FTUAS provides the Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) with transformational capabilities. FTUAS provides the BCT commander a runway independent, expeditionary reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) capability through vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and on the move (OTM) command and control. FTUAS enhances survivability in a MDO environment through assured position, navigation, and timing (APNT) solutions; Type-1 encrypted datalinks; and a modular open systems approach (MOSA) that facilitates system upgrades at the pace of technology. FTUAS mitigates operation and support costs through organic sustainment capability, specifically through Soldiers conducting field level maintenance without contractor field service representatives. Additionally, FTUAS provides enhanced transportability, rapid deployability, expeditionary maneuver, and mobility for adaptive and agile operations. The AROC validation was completed on 17 May 2024, and AROC-M was signed on 8 July 2024 approving the updated A-CDD. One FTUAS system consists of 6 air vehicles and payloads, 6 control stations, and ancillary equipment. The aircraft subsystem includes the airframe, propulsion, avionics, communications, navigation, and software systems; aircraft-specific ground support equipment including power generation, transportation, or command and control equipment. Launched Effects (LE) extends the speed, range, lethality and survivability of maneuver formations through the integration of air vehicles, mission systems, payloads, and behaviors. LE will provides Army formations with the ability to expedite and strengthening the kill web, facilitate the penetration and dis-integration the enemy's Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) environment and extend the maneuver force's reach, lethality, and survivability. LE efforts are based on requirements from an AROC approved Abbreviated-Capability Development Document (A-CDD) approved 08 July 2024. Manned, optionally-manned, and uncrewed systems will penetrate defense-in-depth environments by employing LE with teaming and swarming effects to detect, decoy, jam radar and communications, conduct cyber-attack, spoof and jam Global Positioning System (GPS), and kinetic engagement. The FY 2026 cost of the Future Unmanned Aircraft System (FUAS) Air Launched Effects (ALE) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $60.3 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Mission — Air Launched Effects (ALE) source

Beginning in FY 2025, LE efforts were realigned from PE 0604113A/Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS), DH3/Air Launched Effects (ALE) to 0609346A/UAS Launched Effects Agile Development , A54/Air Launched Effects (ALE) to better capture LE funding and reporting. This program is a part of the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) funding pilot, which provides enhanced capabilities by fostering innovation and accelerated deployment of promising technology. This funding is not a new start. Launched Effects (LE) extends the speed, range, lethality and survivability of maneuver formations through the integration of air vehicles, mission systems, payloads, and behaviors. LE will provides Army formations with the ability to expedite and strengthening the kill web, facilitate the penetration and dis-integration the enemy's Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) environment and extend the maneuver force's reach, lethality, and survivability. LE efforts are based on requirements from an Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) approved Abbreviated-Capability Development Document (A-CDD) approved 08 July 2024. In FY 2025, PM UAS will defer LE-Medium Range (MR) development to focus on LE launcher capability development for all LE variants in support of accelerate capability fielding to meet the The office of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) memo SUBJECT: Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform, dated 30 April 2025. In FY 2025, PM UAS will initiate Rapid Prototyping of the LE-Short Range (LE-SR) under the MTA pathway. This rapid prototyping effort involves the competitive selection of mature technologies to support two Lines of Effort (LOEs). LOE 1 focuses on providing an initial capability to 12 Army Divisions based on special user demonstration feedback. LOE 2 focuses on integrating additional capabilities on existing mature technologies. In FY 2026, PM UAS will initiate its LE-Long Range (LE-LR) program. This effort will include a Special User Demonstration in FY 2026, to include a Technology Maturation Event which will allow competitors in this space to offer their products (i.e., air vehicles and payloads) for evaluation of their components against the LE A-CDD requirement.

Mission — Future Unmanned Aircraft System (FUAS) source

Program is a part of the Department of Defense Capability Based (Agile) Funding Pilot. FUAS funding is realigned to PE 0609346A A53 starting in FY26. Beginning in FY 2025, LE efforts were realigned within PE 0604113A / Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) from Project EX8/Future Unmanned Aircraft System (FUAS) to project DH3/Air Launched Effects (ALE) to better capture LE funding and reporting. FTUAS development efforts are based on requirements from the AROC approved Abbreviated Capability Development Document (A-CDD) signed 12 August 2021. FTUAS provides the Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) with transformational capabilities. Key capabilities of the FTUAS include vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), runway independence, enhanced transportability, rapid deployability, expeditionary maneuver, and mobility for adaptive and agile operations. Based on an A-CDD update for Army Requirements Oversight Council validation completed on 8 July 2024, one FTUAS system will consist of 6 air vehicles and 6 payloads, 6 control stations, and ancillary equipment. The aircraft subsystem will include the airframe, propulsion, avionics, communications, navigation, and software systems; aircraft-specific ground support equipment including power generation, transportation, or command and control equipment; aircraft software; and required engineering, logistics, programmatic support. The FY 2026 cost of the Future Unmanned Aircraft System (FUAS) Air Launched Effects (ALE) Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $60.3 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify FYDP funding in a future budget submission.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)