Unmanned Expeditionary Systems

The Unmanned Expeditionary Systems (UES) program, detailed in Line Item 4758 of the FY 2026 Department of the Navy budget, is a Marine Corps procurement initiative focused on enhancing battlefield logistics and operational sustainment through unmanned technologies. The primary objective of UES is to support Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs) operating in complex, high-threat environments, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region. By leveraging unmanned systems, the program aims to provide reliable, autonomous resupply capabilities in contested areas where traditional, manned logistics operations are considered too risky.

The UES program is comprised of two main components: the ULS-A Small (Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System, or TRUAS) and the ULS-A Medium (Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle-Expeditionary Logistics, or MARV-EL). The immediate procurement focus is on the TRUAS, which is designed to autonomously deliver critical supplies to forward-deployed units engaged in Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). TRUAS is capable of transporting payloads over significant distances at operationally relevant speeds, enabling supply missions within Surface to Air Missile (SAM) Weapon Engagement Zones where manned aircraft would be at significant risk.

Procurement plans for the TRUAS include scheduled deliveries of units and associated support over multiple fiscal years. The program is managed by the Marine Corps Systems Command, with SURVICE Engineering of Aberdeen, MD serving as the primary contractor. The procurement method is sole source/competitive selection, with contract awards and deliveries scheduled to ensure timely fielding of these capabilities to Marine units.

The TRUAS Support sub-line item provides funding for ancillary equipment, training, and maintenance required to sustain the operational readiness of the TRUAS fleet. This ensures that Marine units receiving TRUAS systems have the necessary resources to integrate, operate, and maintain the unmanned aircraft effectively in expeditionary settings.

Looking ahead, the UES program is designed to be adaptive, with future years expected to incorporate emerging technologies such as enhanced autonomous distribution capabilities. These advancements will further diversify the Marine Corps' logistics options, allowing for more flexible and resilient sustainment of forces across evolving operational environments. The program justification emphasizes the need for organic, unmanned logistics solutions to maintain operational tempo and survivability in areas where adversary threats may deny access to manned aviation assets.

The decrease in funding and procurement quantities in FY 2026 reflects a planned pause in TRUAS acquisitions for that year, likely to allow for integration, evaluation, and potential technology upgrades. The program's procurement history and planning documents indicate a deliberate approach to scaling production and delivery, ensuring that capabilities are fielded in alignment with operational requirements and technological maturity.