Northrop Grumman Corporation, in collaboration with Shield AI, has been selected by the U.S. Army to participate in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2. This competition aims to find a replacement for the long-serving RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS).

During the initial seven-week contract period, Northrop Grumman will lead a team to upgrade the V-BAT aircraft’s modular open-system architecture. This upgraded version will incorporate advanced surveillance and electronic warfare (EW) payloads. The V-BAT UAS is known for its innovation, compactness, and lightweight design, allowing it to be efficiently deployed and retrieved by a combat team of just two soldiers, even in challenging environments.

Angela Johns, Vice President of Autonomous and Tactical Air Systems at Northrop Grumman, emphasized the team’s extensive experience in designing, delivering, and sustaining advanced unmanned aircraft systems, combined with the field-proven platform and production facilities. She highlighted the unique perspective and capabilities that Northrop Grumman brings to this critical Army mission.

The collaboration between Northrop Grumman and Shield AI aims to provide cutting-edge solutions for an expeditionary vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS capable of delivering persistent aerial reconnaissance capabilities to various Army units. This initiative is part of the Army’s VTOL unmanned aircraft modernization strategy under the Future Vertical Lift program.

The enhanced version of the V-BAT, which has been in service since 2016, offers ease of operation, increased power, reduced logistical footprint, and compatibility with a variety of interchangeable payloads. These payloads include electro-optical/infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and EW systems, ensuring adaptability and effective life cycle management.

Northrop Grumman, known for its pioneering solutions in aerospace and defense technology, is dedicated to providing connectivity and security worldwide. With a workforce of 95,000 employees driven by a shared commitment to solving tough challenges, the company continues to push the boundaries of possibility in aerospace and beyond.