Edge Autonomy, a wholly owned subsidiary of space and defence technology company Redwire, has secured a prototype phase agreement from the US Army.
The contract stipulates the development and delivery of the Stalker uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for the Army’s Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) programme.
According to the US Army, the LRR system is set to equip manoeuvre battalions with an uncrewed aerial vehicle for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions.
This UAV will weigh under 55lb and will be capable of operating at distances between 30km to 60km with an endurance span of five to eight hours, the service stated.
The Stalker UAS will be equipped with advanced sensors, secure communication systems, autonomous mobility features, and modular payload configurations that can be modified to specific mission requirements.
These capabilities are expected to enhance the Army’s surveillance and intelligence operations, particularly in contested environments, said Redwire.
The Army is expected to conduct hands-on flight operations with the Stalker UAS in the upcoming months to evaluate their performance.
Redwire chairman and CEO Peter Cannito said: “Redwire is proud to develop these systems to significantly bolster the US Army’s ability to detect, identify, and track threats across a wide range of operational theatres.
“Redwire understands the criticality of the LRR programme, and we are committed to supporting the US Army’s evolving mission needs.”
This contract follows an announcement in July this year that the Stalker UAS received an Authority to Operate (ATO) and inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS List.
The DIU Blue List signifies that these drones have undergone extensive testing and meet the Department of Defense’s (DoD) cybersecurity, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliance, and operational standards.
The Edge Autonomy Stalker UAS is designed using a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), which aims to provide Army units with enhanced situational awareness, extended operational reach, and improved survivability in challenging locations.
Edge Autonomy has been developing autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions for DoD, US Federal Civilian Agencies, and allied governments.
Edge Autonomy president Steve Adlich said: “Our products provide soldiers with the situational awareness they need, reduces the logistics burden on the UAS operator, and delivers actionable data to brigade level personnel.”
