The U.S. Army is actively seeking an air-launched unmanned platform capable of soaring 1,000 miles or more ahead of its launch aircraft, with plans to demo potential contenders next year, according to a senior service official.
Extending Sensor Capabilities
„The idea with an ultra long-range launch effect is to extend the sensor capabilities of the Army and the Joint Force beyond what the organic platform itself can deliver,” said Andrew Evans, director for the Strategy & Transformation Office inside the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence shop (G-2).
Outfitting Spy Planes
While an acquisition plan is still being developed, the ultimate goal is to equip spy planes like the future High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) with this capability.
Penetrating Capability
„Imagine a scenario where you can bring a jet into an operational area, but you can’t get close enough to the threat … and then you send something in that can go even further, and now you have some penetrating capability,” Evans added.
Ultra Long-Range Option
The Army is exploring launched effects across short, medium, and long ranges and is now considering an ultra long-range option capable of hosting payloads like Electro-Optical/Infrared and radio frequency sensors.
Demo in 2026
The tentative plan, according to Evans, is to host a demo of potential contenders between April and late September 2026. The location for the event, which will be on U.S. soil, is yet to be finalized. Currently, there are three or four potential contenders that may initially launch their capabilities from the ground.
Airborne Launch in 2027
„In 2027 the idea would be to take the lessons that we learned in ’26 and then put it on an aircraft … and then launch it,” Evans said.
