The US Army has chosen Edge Autonomy’s VXE30 Stalker uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for the prototype phase of its Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. This initiative is focused on acquiring a highly transportable platform capable of performing reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition under various weather conditions. The selection of the VXE30 Stalker aims to enhance the US Army’s existing suite of battlefield reconnaissance platforms, which currently includes the hand-launched RQ-11 Raven from AeroVironment.
Under this new contract, a subsidiary of Redwire Corporation will provide the advanced drone, which is designed to include cutting-edge sensors, secure communication systems, autonomous mobility features, and modular payload configurations tailored to specific missions. The Stalker system is built for extended surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions in contested environments, making it an essential asset for the Army. Redwire anticipates that the US Army will assess the capabilities of the Stalker in the coming months.
Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire, expressed pride in contributing to the enhancement of the Army’s operational capabilities. He emphasized the importance of the LRR program and Redwire’s commitment to fulfilling the evolving requirements of the Army’s missions.
The VXE30 Stalker is characterized as a small, fully autonomous aircraft system boasting an impressive endurance of over eight hours, powered by either a solid oxide fuel cell or a rechargeable battery. With a communication range of 160 kilometers (99 miles), the aircraft is versatile and can be operated by a two-person crew who manage everything from transportation and assembly to launch and monitoring. The system can be prepared for deployment in just 20 minutes and is compact enough to be transported in a minivan, pickup truck, or helicopter.
Additionally, the Stalker’s modular, open-systems architecture allows for rapid integration of payloads and flexible configurations, catering to diverse mission demands. Steve Adlich, President of Edge Autonomy, highlighted the system’s ability to deliver reliable information that informs real-time decision-making. He stated that their products equip soldiers with the situational awareness necessary for effective operations while reducing the logistical burdens on UAS operators and providing actionable data to brigade-level personnel.
