The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched a competition for a low-cost, modular unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of performing many of the missions handled by the MQ-9A Reaper.
Under the Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) initiative, the agency is seeking a theater-range platform that can carry a variety of payloads, including full motion video sensors, for missions that the MQ-9A performs today.
The drone must be deployable for strike, scouting, communications relay, and electronic warfare, with the manufacturer having the capacity for high-rate production to quickly replace expected combat losses.
Read the full story on our new publication, The Drone Front: Pentagon Opens Hunt for Disposable Drones to Complement MQ-9A Reaper