Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems will compete for a contract to develop a replacement for the RQ-7B Shadow reconnaissance drone for the US Army

The US Army has selected two companies that continue to compete in a programme to develop a new reconnaissance drone. The military service wants a replacement for the RQ-7B Shadow drone.

Here's What We Know

The US Army's programme is called Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS). Two companies have made it to Increment 2 stage: Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems. AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman and Sierra Nevada Corporation also participated in the first phase.

The US Army has long been working on a drone that could replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Last year, the military service signed an $8 million contract with AeroVironment to supply Jump 20 systems as a temporary solution for one of its brigades.

The military needs a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle that will not depend on runways and prepared infrastructure. Another requirement is a high level of manoeuvrability in flight. The service also wants a UAV with a low noise level.

Flight testing of the prototypes will take place in the third phase of the FTUAS programme. In later stages, the companies will offer the U.S. Army production versions of the drones and related equipment, as well as conduct operational demonstrations with soldiers. Full-scale production is scheduled for the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

Source: c4isrnet