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Army Launches Search for Replacement for Gray Eagle Large Drone

December 15, 2025

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The Army is seeking S/VTOL drones for replacement of the Gray Eagle.
The RFI focuses on systems with advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities.
The Army plans to deploy the new drones in large-scale combat operations.
Industry must respond to the RFI by January 8, 2024.

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Strategic Implications

This initiative may indicate the Army's growing emphasis on reducing runway dependency and increasing autonomy in its unmanned systems. The search for S/VTOL drones could also suggest a shift in the Army's procurement priorities, potentially favoring systems with advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities. The Army's decision to halt future buys of the General Atomics-made Grey Eagle may also be related to the need for more modern sensors, as previously reported by Breaking Defense.

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What Happened

Army Seeks S/VTOL Unmanned Aerial Systems for Reduced Runway Dependency

The US Army has launched a request for information (RFI) for short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VTOL) unmanned aerial systems to replace the Gray Eagle large drone. The RFI seeks systems with advanced sensors, autonomous capabilities, and a focus on reducing runway dependency. The Army plans to deploy the new drones in large-scale combat operations and expects industry to respond by January 8, 2024. This effort comes as the Army looks to modernize its unmanned systems and increase its autonomy on the battlefield. Breaking Defense reported earlier this month that the service plans to ask industry to incorporate high-energy lasers into the new drones, although this was not included in the RFI.

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