RQ-11 UAV

Abstract

Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FoSUAS) (formerly Small Unit Remote Scouting System (SURSS) is a Commandant of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 initiative. FoSUAS consists of Short Range/Short Endurance (SR/SE), Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME) and Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) systems. The FoSUAS program provides Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) for battalion/company/detachment level units with scalable airborne Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capabilities to aid in detecting, identifying, engaging, and/or avoiding enemy units. Although Force Design 2030 prioritizes LR/LE capabilities, the requirements for SR/SE and MR/ME systems remain to minimize operational risk and improve operational flexibility in asset allocation that maximizes economy of force across the conflict continuum. FoSUAS meets the validated operational requirements delineated in the Operational Requirements Document (ORD), Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Rapid Acquisition Top Level Requirements (TLR), and Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) TLR. SR/SE is a SUAS with a 5-10 kilometer range and endurance up to 50 minutes. SR/SE systems address the need for situational awareness in urban and challenging terrain environments and reduce request-to- response timeframes for RSTA coverage. MR/ME is a SUAS with a 10-20 kilometer range and endurance up to 4 hours. MR/ME provides an organic, persistent RSTA capability to company level units, Route Clearance Platoons (RCP), and Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP) to enhance force protection, detect Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), provide laser targeting/marking/range finding, and communication relay. LR/LE is a SUAS with a 20-50 kilometer range and endurance up to 6 hours. LR/LE provides organic capabilities to battalion level units to satisfy Ground Combat Element RSTA needs. LR/LE SUAS are currently deployed to conduct multi-sensor RTSA operations for Marine Forces Special Operations Command and support Marine Corps fires and maneuver elements.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0305232M_7_1319_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: N/A
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Readers

• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Marksmanship and Weaponry.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy