The Defense Logistics Agency has awarded Red Cat Holdings a $1-million contract to provide its Edge 130 Blue unmanned aerial systems for the US Army.
The tricopters will be supplied to the service’s Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM), where they are expected to be used for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) warfighter support missions to increase warfighter readiness in demanding environments.
Tailor-made for tactical and federal government applications, the Edge 130 Blue offers long-range capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, mapping, and inspection tasks.
The 1.2-kilogram (2.6-pound) platform has a wingspan of 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) and can be hand-launched in under one minute by a single operator for more than 60 minutes of medium-autonomous flight.
Edge 130 Blue has a top speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour and a service ceiling of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet).
“It is great to deepen our relationship with the US Army and to be part of CECOM’s mission to deliver C5ISR systems that enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need,” Red Cat CEO Jeff Thompson stated.
“We are committed to supporting the US Army’s modernization strategy and transformation into a multi-domain force where small, portable unmanned aerial systems like the Edge 130 play an increasing role in conducting intelligence, maneuver, and strike activities across multiple battlefield formations.”
Red Cat launched a modern family of surveillance and strike drones earlier this year that will be offered at a lesser cost compared to existing air defense solutions.
In 2023, the company and autonomy industry partner Athena teamed up to install new artificial intelligence and machine learning computer software into Red Cat’s Teal 2 military drone.
