Unmanned Air Systems (Intel)

The Unmanned Air Systems program, part of the Navy's procurement initiative, aims to enhance the Marine Corps' capabilities through the Family of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FoSUAS). This effort is aligned with the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 and seeks to provide scalable airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) capabilities. The program includes Short Range/Short Endurance (SR/SE), Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME), and Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) systems, each tailored to meet specific operational needs at various unit levels.

The SR/SE systems focus on improving situational awareness in urban and challenging terrain environments. With a range of 5-10 km and an endurance of up to 50 minutes, these systems address the need for rapid response in RSTA coverage. Meanwhile, the MR/ME systems offer a range of 10-20 km and endurance up to 4 hours, providing persistent RSTA capabilities to company-level units. They support force protection by detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and offering communication relay services.

For LR/LE systems, which feature a range of 20-50 km and endurance up to 6 hours, the goal is to meet Ground Combat Element (GCE) RSTA needs at the battalion level. These systems are deployed for multi-sensor operations supporting Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and other Marine Corps elements. The FY 2025 request emphasizes acquiring additional LR/LE systems to align with Military Intelligence Program payload delivery schedules, supporting Distributed Maritime Operations and related concepts in various theaters.

The Unmanned Air Systems program aims to optimize battlespace awareness and maximize force protection through advanced technology integration. The emphasis on SR/SE and LR/LE capabilities reflects a strategic prioritization within Force Design 2030, ensuring these unmanned systems remain critical assets in enhancing operational flexibility across different conflict scenarios.