Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Payloads (MIP)

The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Payloads program, under Program Element PE 0305242M, is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on developing, integrating, and sustaining advanced sensor payloads for the U.S. Marine Corps' family of unmanned aircraft systems. The primary goal is to address intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability gaps resulting from evolving mission requirements, emerging threats, and technological advancements. This program directly supports the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs), and Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), enhancing their operational effectiveness in contested environments, particularly those characterized by Great Power Competition.

A key objective of the UAS Payloads program is to provide modular, low-cost aerial sensing technologies that enable persistent maritime domain awareness. These payloads are designed to operate in communications and navigation-degraded or denied environments, supporting Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). The program incorporates advanced sensing capabilities across the electromagnetic, gravimetric, chemical, nuclear, acoustic, visual, physical, and radar spectrums. The focus is on minimizing risk to personnel and reducing the operational signature of Marine forces.

The program emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technology enablers such as artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and precision geolocation. These technologies automate recognition, identification, and tracking of targets, support advanced networking and communications, and facilitate cross-cueing between sensor modalities. The AI/ML efforts specifically aim to enable edge processing on small UAS platforms for real-time object detection, classification, and identification. This enhances the rapid detection and exploitation of ISR data.

Product development activities include the prototyping, development, and integration of strategic and tactical sensors such as Electronic Support (ES), Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI), Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI), Multi-INT sensors, advanced EO/IR/Multi-spectral/Hyperspectral sensors, CBRN sensors, LiDAR, Alt-Nav, and acoustic sensors. The program also supports the development of enabling technologies like the SUAS Reusable Architecture (SRA), Common Sensor Workstation (CSW), and Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) for secure data transfer between classified and unclassified networks. Additive manufacturing techniques are employed to accelerate the installation and production of UAS components.

Support activities encompass government and contractor program management, engineering, technical support, integrated logistics support (ILS), training concept development, and data management/documentation. The increase in support funding for FY 2026 reflects the need for additional technical support for planned capability upgrades and expanded data architecture requirements. This ensures the successful transition of advanced payloads from development to operational deployment and sustainment.

Test and evaluation efforts are focused on developmental and operational testing of payload sensor suites, as well as verification and validation of sensor data integration architectures. The increase in test and evaluation funding for FY 2026 is attributed to additional testing events required to support ongoing sensor integration and capability upgrades. These activities are critical for ensuring that new payloads meet operational requirements and can be effectively fielded across Marine Corps UAS platforms.

Management services provide program management support for the development, testing, and integration of sensor payloads, including cross-organization travel funding. The decrease in management services funding from FY 2025 to FY 2026 is due to a re-alignment of contract program management support, reflecting the transition of several sensor payloads from development to production and sustainment. The UAS Payloads program leverages partnerships with small businesses, large industry vendors, government laboratories, and academic institutions to transition high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) capabilities into operational payloads, supporting the Marine Corps' ISR enterprise across a broad range of military operations.