Unmanned Systems

ORLANDO, FL -- The head of Air Force Air Education and Training Command told reporters here last week he is working to flesh out initiatives to shrink the manpower and the cost needed to keep the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise running.

Robotics testing and prototypes would receive some sizable gains in the Army's fiscal year 2019 budget request.

The Air Force is asking Congress to fund a new $13.5 million procurement program for the RQ-20B Puma in its fiscal year 2019 budget request, after the service unsuccessfully tried to reprogram money to purchase the small unmanned aerial vehicles last year.

Citing a 2026 initial operational capability threshold, the Navy is seeking $234 million more than projected for its unmanned tanker program in fiscal year 2019.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is focused on developing platforms and systems containing a "significant amount of autonomy," as the Defense Department pushes for technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned teaming.

The Army is "taking risks in favor of accelerating programs," particularly robotics, according to a service official.

General Atomics has received $49.3 million to develop common MQ-9 Reaper software under an open agreement that facilitates upgrades to the remotely piloted aircraft, according to a Defense Department contract announcement.

A demonstration of the U.S. and British armies' robotic systems last October gave a glimpse into the future of transporting supplies to the front lines without drivers. It was the beginning of a three-year project to eliminate risks inherent in the "difficult and dangerous" last mile, according to an Army release.

The Army is in the midst of a review of all requirements for small unmanned aircraft systems, with the results expected to drive all future small UAS requirements, the service told Inside the Army.