SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) program, detailed in Army budget line item 9678A12500, is a critical component of the Army's ongoing modernization efforts. The primary goal of this program is to equip battalion-level and below formations with advanced uncrewed aircraft technologies that enhance situational awareness, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities. By investing in SUAS, the Army aims to provide organic, responsive intelligence and surveillance assets that can operate in contested environments and support a wide range of operational scenarios, including homeland defense and support to civil authorities.

The SUAS program encompasses several distinct system families, each tailored to specific operational needs. The Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) system is designed for maneuver platoons and provides real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) within a 3-5 kilometer range and 30-minute endurance. SRR systems feature modular payloads, obstacle avoidance, target recognition, automated following, and networked capabilities, making them highly adaptable to dynamic battlefield conditions. The procurement plan for FY 2026 includes SRR Tranche 2 systems, each consisting of two air vehicles, a handheld ground control station, digital data link, and EO/IR payload.

The Company Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Directed Requirement (SUAS DR) is intended to support Brigade Combat Teams with enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. These systems offer a 10-kilometer range and up to 8 hours of endurance, incorporating assured positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT), electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, laser targeting, and kinetic architectures. The FY 2026 budget allocates funding for SUAS DR systems, which include two air vehicles, a ground control station, payloads, initial spares, training, and software maintenance.

The Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) system is designed for maneuver battalions, providing extended RSTA capabilities with a range of 40-60 kilometers and endurance of 5-10 hours. These systems are equipped with APNT, EO/IR, laser targeting, and kinetic architectures, supporting operations in contested environments. The FY 2026 procurement plan includes LRR systems, each with two air vehicles, two ground control stations, digital data link, and EO/IR payload, along with associated training and program management support.

The Purpose Built Attritable System (PBAS) is focused on providing maneuver platoons with uncrewed air vehicles capable of delivering lethal effects. PBAS systems have a minimum range of 2 kilometers and 15 minutes of endurance, and are designed to be expendable in high-risk missions. Each PBAS system includes FPV goggles, controllers, leader displays, and both 10-inch and 5-inch air vehicles with modular payloads for lethal and non-lethal armament integration. The FY 2026 budget supports the procurement of PBAS systems, including initial spares, technical support, logistics, and training.

Funding for the SUAS program in FY 2026 has been realigned from Budget Activity 1 (A12500) to Budget Activity 6 (I47000) to support Agile Portfolio Management, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to meet evolving Army requirements. This investment reflects the Army's commitment to leveraging modular open systems approaches, advanced autonomy, and scalable software solutions to address current and emerging operational gaps.

The SUAS program supports the Army's transformation by enabling ground-based forces to project power across domains, defeat capable adversaries, secure terrain, and consolidate gains. These systems are essential for both active and reserve components, providing capabilities for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, in accordance with Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.