Enhanced Variant of V-BAT to be Offered

The US Army has selected the Northrop Grumman and Shield AI team to participate in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Increment 2 programme, aimed at replacing the RQ-7B Shadow.

Under a seven-week base period contract, the team will define the modular open-system architecture of an enhanced V-BAT aircraft, including the integration of advanced surveillance and EW payloads. The V-BAT UAS is an innovative, agile, compact and lightweight platform that a combat team of two soldiers can rapidly launch and recover in challenging and on-the-move conditions.

“Our team’s enhanced V-BAT embodies more than 30 years of experience designing, delivering and sustaining advanced unmanned aircraft systems, combined with a field-proven platform and production facilities […] We bring a unique perspective and capabilities to this critical Army mission,” explained Angela Johns, VP Autonomous and Tactical Air Systems at Northrop Grumman.

The two companies aim to provide best-in-class solutions for an expeditionary VTOL UAS, capable of persistent aerial reconnaissance for US Army Brigade Combat Teams, special forces and Ranger battalions. As a Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme, FTUAS is the Army’s premier current VTOL unmanned aircraft modernisation effort.

Earlier versions of the V-BAT have supported operations for the US Navy and Marine Corps since 2016. The new enhanced V-BAT is simple to operate, has increased power, a reduced logistics tail, and the capacity to carry a range of interchangeable payloads, including EO/IR, synthetic aperture radar and EW systems, offering long-term adaptability and life-cycle management.