Gives ARNG Divisions First Organic ISR Capability
The US Army National Guard (ARNG) has received FY23 Congressional funding for 12 new-build Gray Eagle 25M (GE-25M) UAS, manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced on 26 April.
The funding comes after Army National Guard states – representing 45% the Army’s combat divisions – requested GE-25Ms to make ARNG Divisions Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) capable, deployable, and better able to team with newly formed Division Artillery Brigades (DIVARTY). They will also be available to support domestic missions such as homeland defence and disaster response, as needed.
“The GE-25M UAS is a very versatile aircraft […] Gray Eagle is a valuable tool that gives the ARNG capabilities that match the organizational and doctrinal Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) requirements of active Army divisions with up to 40 hours of continuous flight,” explained Patrick Shortsleeve, VP of DoD Strategic Development.
GE-25M is equipped with the new Eagle-Eye multi-mode radar and EO/IR sensors, and can host a wide range of additional kinetic and non-kinetic payloads. Equipping ARNG Divisions with organic GE-25Ms makes possible the necessary mission planning, targeting, communications, detailed coordination, and realistic training needed to employ the systems successfully in combat. Gray Eagle will allow ARNG Divisions to have Divisional ISR for the first time.
Gray Eagle has a proven record of performance, with millions of hours of safe operations, including automatic take-off and landing capability. It is an integral part of the Army Aviation team, working closely with manned rotary-wing systems to achieve overmatch against pacing threats. Delivery of GE-25M capability to the ARNG will deepen the skill and experience of the whole force. Not only will the aircraft enhance the lethality of the United States’ strategic reserve, but it will also spread the operational burden more broadly.
