SOCOM Buys $30.5 Million ALTIUS Drone From Area-I

Area-I LLC has received a $30.5 million contract from the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for an ALTIUS drone.

The deal includes assembly, test support, and other sustainment services required for the uncrewed aircraft.

Most of the work will be conducted on facilities in Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed in July 2027.

ALTIUS Drones

The ALTIUS, or Agile-Launch, Tactically-Integrated, Unmanned System, consists of three models: the ALTIUS-500, -600, and -900. The Department of Defense did not specify the variant Area-I will deliver.

However, drones such as the ALTIUS are planned to be integrated into the US Army’s Future Lift Program, a solution that will enable the military to advance its vertical lift technologies by 2030.

Notable units that will be part of this program are the Future Long Range Advanced Aircraft and Assault/Utility aircraft.