Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) (6.4)

Abstract

The Rucksack Portable Uncrewed Aircraft System (RPUAS) Family of Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (FoSUAS) requirements are transitioning to the Joint Small Uncrewed Aircraft System sUAS Capability Development Document (J-sUAS CDD) to solve current and emergent operational gaps. These systems provide battalion and below ground maneuver elements with critical situational awareness and enhanced force protection. The system provides an organic and responsive reconnaissance and targeting capability with real-time Full Motion Video and sensor data which is also available to inter-operable digital data linked systems, such as the One System Remote Video Terminal and manned platforms. The RPUAS FoSUAS includes the Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR), the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR), and the Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR). Each system includes aircraft, ground control equipment, handheld ground control station and Robotics Autonomous Command and Control (RAC2) software. The Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) capability utilizes RQ-28A SRR for first generation fielding which provides platoons 30 minute flight endurance, 3 km operational range, an EO/IR Payload, and sub 3 lb target weight. SRR is currently prototyping the second generation air vehicle FY2022-FY2025 which offers modular payloads, day & night obstacle avoidance, target recognition & automated following, and common software which will be used across all Group I and II UAS. Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) System will provide organic maneuver battalions an uncrewed air vehicle designed to support Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) efforts. The system will have an aircraft weight of less than 55 lbs, a range of 30-60 km and endurance of 5-8 hours. System will include Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT), data links to optimize the modular mission payloads (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR), laser targeting/designating) and kinetic architectures in a contested environment. The Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS) is an autonomous aerial cargo delivery system, organic to the maneuver commander, that will provide options for rapid and agile sustainment of highly mobile tactical combat forces, operating in a widely dispersed manner in the tactical support and close areas. JTAARS will enable maneuver by reducing the tactical force's dependence on ground lines of communication and sustainment, reducing threats to manned convoys and manned aerial systems, lightening Soldier load, and shrinking the supply chain. JTAARS will provide a lift capability of 125 lbs over 13 km one way (26 km round trip). The total cost of the SRR Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $28.2 million of RDTE from FY2020 to FY2025. The SRR program is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. Justification: FY 2025 RDTE Base funding of $1.800 million to investigate GPS Denied Navigation systems, resilient APNT, advanced low probability of detect/intercept data-links for both SRR and LRR. In addition, interfaces for common mission payloads (communications relay, electronic warfare payloads, and lethal munition payloads).

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0604101A_4_2040_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: Increase due to revised economic assumptions.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Readers

• Marksmanship and Weaponry.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space