Textron Systems Chooses to Lead the Charge in US Army’s FTUAS Program Expansion
Textron Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., announced today its selection by the U.S. Army for the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS) Program of Record Option 2 award. Having successfully fulfilled the FTUAS program Option 1 criteria, Textron Systems now advances into Option 2 of the contract. In this phase, Textron Systems will enhance its proposed design in alignment with the Army’s Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) specifications, culminating in a critical design evaluation. Textron Systems’ proposal for the program features its Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 Hybrid Quad (HQ) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).
Boasting over 35 distinct payload integrations and the capability to transport multiple payloads concurrently, the Aerosonde HQ has demonstrated its compatibility and operational versatility. Created for the Army’s Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), the Aerosonde Mk. 4.8 HQ’s multi-payload functionality provides these units at the tactical forefront increased adaptability in deploying the necessary sensors for their missions and environments. Textron Systems’ ongoing dedication to the integration and demonstration of payloads presents a low-risk solution tailored to fulfill the Army’s demands.
“With more than 30 years of UAS expertise spanning three million flight hours, we have cultivated a mature, dependable, and responsive ecosystem to support our Army client,” stated Wayne Prender, Senior Vice President of Air Systems. “We’ve engineered our system to be adaptable so that as technology advances, the Aerosonde UAS remains capable of supporting our soldiers not just in the immediate future but for years to come.”
The Aerosonde HQ platform features multi-mission capabilities built on a suite of systems that have collectively achieved over 600,000 flight hours. The aircraft’s size, weight, and power (SWAP) profile are optimized to deliver extensive surveillance, day/night full-motion video, communications relay, signals intelligence, and more.
