UAS Launched Effects Agile Development

Mission — UAS Launched Effects Agile Development source

The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 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. UAS provides a runway independent, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), expeditionary reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition (RSTA) with multiple sensors, communications, lethality and electromagnetic warfare capability). UAS supports Human Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) and provides the opportunity to learn, fail, refine requirements, and develop solutions faster than our adversaries; UAS incorporates soldier feedback to enhance survivability in a multi-domain operations (MDO) environment through modular payloads to facilitate upgraded communication, encryption, and lethality at the pace of technology. Additionally, UAS provides Brigade Combat Team (BCTs) with enhanced transportability, rapid deployability, expeditionary maneuver, and mobility for adaptive and agile operations. One BCT system consists of multiple air vehicles with Modular Mission Payloads (MMPs), ground 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; aircraft software and MMPs. Launched Effects (LE) will provide Army formations the ability to retain their asymmetric advantage in reach, protection, and lethality in the execution of Joint All- Domain Operations (JADO). The lethal and non-lethal air and ground capabilities of LE will provide seamless real-time integration of multiple warfighting functions in the execution of joint attack, reconnaissance, and security operations that create multiple dilemmas for the enemy. LE efforts are based on requirements from an Army Requirements Oversight Council (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 — Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) source

The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 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. UAS provides a runway independent, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), expeditionary reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition (RSTA) with multiple sensors, communications, lethality and electromagnetic warfare capability). UAS supports Human Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) and provides the opportunity to learn, fail, refine requirements, and develop solutions faster than our adversaries; UAS incorporates soldier feedback to enhance survivability in a multi-domain operations (MDO) environment through modular payloads to facilitate upgraded communication, encryption, and lethality at the pace of technology. Additionally, UAS provides BCTs with enhanced transportability, rapid deployability, expeditionary maneuver, and mobility for adaptive and agile operations. One BCT system consists of multiple air vehicles with Modular Mission Payloads (MMPs), ground 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; aircraft software and MMPs. 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

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 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 ACDD requirement. 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 (2)