Photo By Michelle Miller | YRQ-10A equipment departs Textron Systems to support Developmental Testing initiation.... read more read more
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Redstone Arsenal, AL: On 18 March 2025, the United States Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS) program began developmental testing (DT) as Textron Systems delivered two prototype sets of the MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde (YRQ-10A) to Redstone Arsenal, AL. Each set included two Air Vehicles (AV), two Ground Control Stations, two Ground Data Terminals, one On the Move (OTM) kit, and associated Ground Support Equipment. Project Manager Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Aviation and Missile Lifecycle Management Command partners received the equipment.
The Army Test and Evaluation Command Redstone Test Center (RTC) positioned one AV test set to conduct transportability testing. This testing ensures the system's organic transport in deployed environments. The DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center Joint Technology Center Systems Integration Laboratory received the other AV set to begin network and cybersecurity testing. This testing represents a critical step in achieving the system's Authority to Operate (ATO). The ATO demonstrates the system's resiliency, enabling battlefield distribution of FTUAS data and video over Army networks.
Rigorous testing of the FTUAS will continue this year. The DT results will capstone the Rapid Prototyping effort and will inform the production decision and subsequent Rapid Fielding contract award, expected this fall.
FTUAS provides Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) with organic reconnaissance and surveillance capability. It allows BCT commanders to collect, develop, and report actionable intelligence, maintaining dominance during Multi-Domain Operations. FTUAS’ transformational capabilities include vertical takeoff and landing (eliminating runway dependence), On-the-Move command and control, and Soldier-led, field-level maintenance. The system's Modular Open Systems Approach allows for rapid capability insertions to keep pace with technology.
The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation at Redstone Arsenal, AL modernizes the Army’s crewed and uncrewed aircraft fleet. This modernization maintains the Army's asymmetric advantage over peer adversaries in large-scale combat operations. PEO Aviation’s UAS Project Office focuses on rapidly fielding transformational UAS capabilities at echelon to Army formations.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2025 13:20 |
| Story ID: | 494588 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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