The addition of Gray Eagle 25Ms will make the ARNG the reserve fighting force the U.S. Army needs to deploy as a component of an active Army task force or as an organic element of its National Guard Division – supporting the National Defense Strategy
When you think of who’s employing the world’s most advanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) technology, you might not think of the Army National Guard. Think again.
As many as 60 next-generation medium altitude, long endurance multi-mission uncrewed aircraft are either funded or pending funding and slated to deploy with Guard units operating alongside the active-duty Army in theaters across the globe starting within two years.
The first of 12 Gray Eagle 25M aircraft, which Congress funded in the 2023 budget, are on track to begin deliveries in 2027. That means that the Army National Guard is well on its way toward fielding the world’s most advanced UAS in its class.
“Gray Eagles provide persistent presence at operationally relevant ranges for sensors, payloads, and launched effects while requiring no risk of our U.S. soldiers,” said Denny Winningham, a retired colonel of the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment, who now works for aircraft-builder General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI). “When we operate, we put Gray Eagle 25M in danger, not a human pilot and crew.”
Although Gray Eagle 25M was based on the Army’s existing Gray Eagle aircraft – reducing the risk, cost and time required as compared with a fully new aircraft – it brings major new capabilities. So much so that the Army National Guard units that will fly it will be able to do things no others can, anywhere.
“The new 25M model delivers the only relevant multi-domain operations capability available now and will sustain the Army National Guard as a relevant and reliable partner for active-duty divisions and cement the ARNG as the world’s premier combat reserve.”
In addition to the first 12 funded in 2023, supporters have advocated for another dozen to be funded in the 2025 budget and a further 36 aircraft systems in 2026.
The 2025 funding would be dedicated for the 40th Infantry Division, comprising units from California, Oregon, and Nevada. The 2026 funding is slated for the 28th Infantry Division (comprising units from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee), the 35th Infantry Division (with units from Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma), and 36th Infantry Division (with units from Texas and Mississippi).
