Army zeroes in on expendable drone needs for future buys
NASHVILLE, Tenn. − The U.S. Army is close to establishing a set of requirements for purpose-built expendable drones it will buy in the future, according to the service's project manager for unmanned aircraft systems.
The service recently released a market survey looking for what it's calling Purpose-Built, Attritable Systems, or PBAS, and is headed into an Army Requirements Oversight Council review of the requirements sometime in June, Col. Danielle Medaglia said Wednesday at the Army Aviation Association of America's annual conference.
The PM UAS within Program Executive Office Aviation is working with the Maneuver Center of Excellence to develop the requirements for PBAS, she noted.
While the initial focus for the program was the massively popular first-person view drones that were made battlefield famous in the war in Ukraine, the Army sees these attritable drones possessing a much wider range of capabilities and control mechanisms. They will be 'a multifunctional capability,' said Col. Nick Ryan, the Army capability manager for UAS within the service's Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate.
'It can be FPV, it can be first-person view control, like wiggling the sticks like you see in Ukraine, or it could be more of like what the [Short-Range Reconnaissance] is where you just kind of control it a little easier, push a couple buttons, give it a couple waypoints and it goes off and flies by itself.'
The drones could also be tethered using something like fiber-optic cable, Ryan added, or they could be autonomous and a flight plan and mission preprogrammed.
'You have your target and I'm not going to talk to you anymore, go,' he said.
The Army also envisions the drones taking swarming formations and pairing with manned helicopters like the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Ryan noted.
Another option would be to use the drones for countering enemy drones.
'PBAS is the perfect thing that could that as an air-to-air autonomous dog fight. Just tell it, launch it and say, 'Hey, go kill things in the air. Robot to robot,' Ryan said.
The call-to-industry for solutions published roughly two weeks ago generated over 60 responses from vendors.
The evaluation board for those proposals will begin its work this week, Medaglia said. The effort is funded from evaluating paper proposals to inviting select vendors to flight demonstrations.
The Army plans to award multiple vendors following those flight demonstrations, according to Medaglia. The service will look to companies who have the ability to quickly produce the systems.
'We need to scale,' she said. 'We want to get it out quickly, learn, iterate. We are moving incredibly, incredibly quickly in this space. It's funded. We have responses, and we're ready to roll.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Army, Trump love a $40 million parade. But nothing is planned for Navy, Marines
Army, Trump love a $40 million parade. But nothing is planned for Navy, Marines Show Caption Hide Caption White House plans parade for Trump's bday, Army's 250th anniversary The White House is planning a massive military parade to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. WASHINGTON — The Army's latest estimate for its major parade to celebrate its 250th anniversary – which falls on President Donald Trump's birthday – totals $40 million, including the cost of repairing streets in Washington, DC expected to be gnawed by tank treads. Meanwhile, the Navy, which also celebrates its 250th anniversary in October, has no plans for a similar parade, according to a spokesperson. The Marine Corps, too, has its 250th in November, and does not appear to have a parade on tap either. That leads a Democratic senator and member of the Armed Services Committee to believe that the June 14 parade featuring tanks, helicopters, warplanes and troops in period costume is as much about feeding Trump's ego as it is celebrating the Army's heritage. 'It is Donald Trump who is the focus of his own attention, and the Army birthday just happened to be a convenient excuse,' said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. 'He might well celebrate all our military services together since their birthdays are imminent. 'I'm all in favor of celebrating the anniversaries of our services in a more appropriate way but without the extravagant expenditure of funds that are vital to our military.' More: Tanks, cannons and soldiers sleeping in DC offices: Inside Trump birthday military parade The administration insists that the Army's anniversary and Trump's birthday are a coincidence and that the parade is justified to honor soldiers' sacrifice. Plans for the June 14 parade began in earnest about a month ago. 'The President is planning an historic celebration of the Army's 250th birthday that will honor generations of selfless Americans who have risked everything for our freedom,' Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley said in a statement last month. Trump told NBC in May that the parade's cost was, 'Peanuts compared to the value of doing it." The Army has acknowledged that the parade is costly, but says the expense justified. Tens of millions spent on a parade 'is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America's Army,' spokesman Steve Warren told reporters recently. The Army's initial estimate for the parade covered a range from $25 to $45 million. But as the event nears the estimate has been refined and includes damage to streets and infrastructure anticipated from heavy armored vehicles, according to a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. It's unclear how much the Army has budgeted to repair expected damage. The $40 million in taxpayer dollars will fund a parade featuring Abrams tanks, vintage World War II warplanes and thousands of soldiers marching in period uniforms to mark the nation's battles from the Revolutionary War to the present. A reviewing stand is being erected for Trump south of the White House. Tanks shipped from Texas The Army is shipping tanks from Texas by railroad to Washington for the parade, and soldiers from other posts around the country. They will be housed downtown in government buildings transformed into makeshift barracks with thousands of cots. More: DC mayor worried tanks will chew up downtown streets in Army-Trump parade Military parades, especially France's annual Bastille Day celebration, have captivated Trump. But celebrations of military might are more common in authoritarian regimes. Every member of the Army participating in the parade, from private to general, will be expected to bunk in what the Army calls Life Support Areas, the official said. There are exceptions. Pvt. Doc Holliday being one. Doc is a blue heeler hound and 'cherished member of Horse Cavalry Detachment, according to the First Cavalry Division. Doc will be staying in a hotel with his handler, the official said.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Oregon UAS Accelerator Unveils Game-Changing Summer 2025 Cohort: 4 Startups Set to Transform Unmanned Systems Industry
Revolutionary companies tackle $20B+ markets in wildfire response, mineral discovery, powerline infrastructure, and airspace security 'This cohort represents the most promising collection of UAS technologies we've ever assembled,'— Joseph Wyno, Executive Director Oregon UAS Accelerator PENDELTON, OR, UNITED STATES, June 3, 2025 / / -- The Oregon UAS Accelerator today announced four breakthrough companies selected for its prestigious Summer 2025 cohort, representing cutting-edge solutions poised to revolutionize industries from emergency response to critical mineral exploration. The cohort will be officially introduced at the Ascent to Excellence III event on June 13, 2025, at the world-renowned Pendleton UAS Test Range. This elite group of startups collectively addresses market opportunities exceeding $200 billion, bringing transformative technologies that promise to reshape how industries approach automation, safety, and efficiency. Each company offers unique solutions to pressing global challenges, from climate-driven wildfire threats to critical mineral shortages essential for clean energy transitions. Introducing the Summer 2025 Innovators: FlyX Technologies is pioneering the world's first wireless power charging system for drones using existing powerline infrastructure, eliminating the need for costly charging stations and enabling unlimited flight range. Their proprietary electromagnetic field harvesting technology transforms powerlines into an aerial charging grid, offering 100 times better power-to-weight efficiency than traditional solutions. With a total addressable market of $200 billion and partnerships already established with Idaho National Laboratory and major utilities, FlyX is targeting $95 million in AI-as-a-Service revenue by 2029. FNN Aviation addresses the devastating $8 billion annual wildfire suppression challenge with their revolutionary Firebird Drone and SAFE (Suspended Autonomous Fire Extinguisher) system. Their AI-powered solution can precisely target fires from high altitudes without fanning flames, operating in dense forests and urban environments where traditional methods fail. The system represents a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive fire response, potentially saving billions in annual damages and countless lives. Outer Rim Exploration (ORE) is transforming the $70 billion mineral exploration market with AI-enabled drone-based muon tomography, reducing typical exploration costs from $100 million to under $10 million per project. Their breakthrough technology cuts discovery time from five years to less than one year while achieving a 90% reduction in failed drilling attempts. With the global demand for critical minerals surging 400% by 2030 to meet net-zero targets, ORE's solution addresses a critical supply chain bottleneck. Sentradel (formerly Hover Defense) delivers autonomous counter-drone systems targeting the rapidly expanding $20 billion global drone threat market. Their passive acoustic detection and AI-powered kinetic response technology provides 5-kilometer range protection for military bases, airports, and critical infrastructure. With applications spanning public safety, energy facilities, and national security, Sentradel addresses the urgent need for cost-effective drone defense as unauthorized UAV incidents continue to escalate. Expert Leadership Drives Innovation Forward 'This cohort represents the most promising collection of UAS technologies we've ever assembled,' said Joseph Wyno, Executive Director of the Oregon UAS Accelerator. 'These four companies aren't just building incremental improvements—they're creating entirely new paradigms that will define the future of unmanned systems across multiple critical industries.' The diversity and market potential of this cohort reflects the accelerator's strategic focus on dual-use technologies that serve both commercial and defense applications. From FlyX's infrastructure-agnostic charging solutions to ORE's space-capable mineral detection technology, each company demonstrates scalability from local applications to global deployment. Comprehensive Support Accelerates Market Entry Selected companies receive the Oregon UAS Accelerator's comprehensive $165,000 benefit package, including a $40,000 non-dilutive grant, access to $75,000 worth of flight testing at the Pendleton UAS Test Range, expert mentorship, and regulatory support. The 12-week intensive program culminates with the Pendleton Investor Round-Up on September 10, 2025, coinciding with the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up Rodeo. 'Our accelerator provides more than funding—we offer startups access to 14,000 square miles of unrestricted airspace, world-class testing facilities, and connections to industry leaders and investors,' added Wyno. 'This infrastructure advantage, combined with Oregon's business-friendly environment, creates the ideal conditions for UAS innovation to flourish.' Strategic Timing Capitalizes on Market Momentum The announcement comes as the unmanned systems industry experiences unprecedented growth, driven by increasing demand for automation, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response capabilities. The Oregon UAS Accelerator's track record of supporting successful startups positions this cohort to capture significant market share in rapidly expanding sectors. The Ascent to Excellence III event on June 13, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 PM, will provide attendees with exclusive insights into these breakthrough technologies and networking opportunities with industry leaders, government officials, and potential investors. About the Oregon UAS Accelerator The Oregon UAS Accelerator is Oregon's premier program for unmanned aerial systems innovation, dedicated to positioning Pendleton as a global hub for UAS development. Through world-class resources, strategic mentorship, and cutting-edge testing capabilities at the Pendleton UAS Test Range, the accelerator empowers startups to transform breakthrough technologies into market-ready solutions. Funded by Business Oregon, the program has supported numerous successful companies across defense, agriculture, infrastructure, and emergency response sectors. Event RSVP: For Ascent to Excellence III registration and media credentials, visit or contact the Oregon UAS Accelerator directly. Chris Ponzillo Oregon UAS Accelerator +1 714-614-2646 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Astros vs. Pirates predictions: MLB picks, best bets Tuesday
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. 'Well Stitch it's official. Olivia Dunne is my favorite athlete.' — Ryan, Jersey City Thank you for sharing. Big gymnastics fan, eh Ryan? Good choice, but her balance beam and uneven bars need work. Favorite athlete? I'm sticking with 'Butterbean' Eric Esch. Dunne's boyfriend Paul Skenes takes his turn on the mound Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Skenes charmed the Snakes, blanking Arizona for 6 ²/₃ innings, and has allowed just five runs over his past 32 ²/₃ — and no homers. The Astros' Lance McCullers Jr. is back after missing all of 2023 and 2024. McCullers has made five starts this season, hasn't won yet and has given up 12 runs and 20 hits over 18 ¹/₃. Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. AP Lance fanned 12 Athletics in just six innings in his most recent start. We will play Skenes and the Pirates for $50 (-152, BetRivers). Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting The hottest team in baseball? The Brewers. Stretched their winning streak to eight by edging the Reds, 3-2. Loss has us at -225 sparkyandersons. Why Trust New York Post Betting The one and only Stitches has been handicapping baseball, daily, for the Post since 2019. Miraculously, he has finished in the black twice. But wait there's more. He showed his versatility by winning the Post's NFL Best Bet crown last year.
