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USAF Testing MQ-9 Reaper drone for new missions

January 10, 2025
For nearly two decades, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has flown its MQ-9 Reaper drone in and out of traditional runways at bases worldwide. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), based on the earlier Predator drone, is designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and precision strike capabilities.

However, as the USAF continues to modernize in the face of Great Power Competition, leadership is exploring operating the MQ-9 out of more austere and remote environments. Crews recently tested that idea during an exercise known as Reaper Castillo at the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico.

From Nov. 4 to Dec. 18, MQ-9s, flown by pilots and sensor operators at Hurlburt Field, Florida, would land their UAVs 1,100 miles away on a dirt landing strip in eastern New Mexico.

Ground crews would then refuel and rearm each aircraft for its next flight. The goal was to validate the MQ-9’s ability to operate in austere environments, including dirt-strip landings for a rapid relaunch.

“The MQ-9 is extremely relevant in today’s fight and will be in the future as well. It allows us to go places and do things that we cannot risk sending manned aircraft – such as high-threat environments.”
65th SOS MQ-9 evaluator pilot and exercise mission commander

Lt. Col. Kurtis Paul, the 65th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) commander, said the exercise will provide essential data and lessons for the next squadron to push the concepts even further.

“On its surface, Reaper Castillo 24 is an exercise created and executed by the 65th SOS. But in reality, it’s another step in Air Force Special Operations Command’s efforts to push MQ-9 operations beyond conventional means,” Paul said.

A mission commander whose rank and name were not provided said of the effort, “If we can free ourselves from the traditional mindset, it will make the MQ-9 combat reach nearly limitless.”
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Smaller drones finding a home in the military: Weapon of the week

June 12, 2024
To say there is a lot of competition in the drone industry is putting it mildly. Hundreds of drone manufacturers compete for a limited number of military contracts. The latest weapon of the week from Performance Drone Works (PDW) has a few key highlights that make it stand out from the rest of the pack.

At first glance, the C-100 drone looks very similar to a drone on a big box store’s shelves. However, a closer look reveals that the C-100 is a much more versatile piece of technology.

Performance Drone Works calls the C-100 “The Ultimate Force Multiplier.” The drone can gather intel, carry payloads and also deliver munitions with precision with a first-person view (FPV) camera.

“FPV is a whole new style of of munition delivery, where a pilot has very finite control of exactly where that munition can be placed,” Ryan Gury, the CEO and co-founder of PDW, said. “When that can be placed, you can stand off but a great while identify targets, you can hit pieces of armor or exactly where they’re vulnerable. And just last week, we heard from the generals in Ukraine that FPV is now out-surpassing artillery and small arms for anti-personnel and anti-armor.”

Gury and his team designed the C-100 with Drone Racing League technology in mind after the performance capability of those drones caught the eye of the special forces community. The C-100 uses AI assisted software that helps it think around enemy systems. That technology also helps keep soldiers safer on the battlefield.

“Drones that you can use from your body, from your rucksack, drones to be used on a frontline really do extend the frontline, beyond humans and into sensors and robotics and really keep the warfighter at safety,” Gury said.

That mindset helped PDW find its place in the military drone marketplace. Earlier this year, the U.S. Special Operations Force’s Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Office granted the Alabama-based startup a $6.9 million contract for their black wave radio system. PDW designed the system to keep drones and communications systems resistant to jamming signals from enemy forces.

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US military utilizing emerging tech as outlook on future conflicts evolves

May 30, 2024

As geopolitical situations evolve, U.S. military officials said the way future conflicts will play out is changing quickly, too. That is why the military is beginning preparations now for potential escalations in the short and long term.

One example is reclaiming an airfield from the jungle on Tinian Island, in the Philippine Sea less than 2,000 miles from the coast of China. The U.S. Air Force used the island’s North Field to launch the nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

In places like Tinian Island, the infrastructure is sparse. This is why Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said new technology that helps troops quickly adapt to their surroundings is essential.

“We need fully capable units with all the assets they need to fight China or possibly Russia on short or no notice,” Kendall said. “We need units fully ready to either deploy or conduct operations in place, also on short or no notice.”

During Special Operations Forces Week 2024 in May, Cubic Defense introduced technology that allows units to operate using a much smaller footprint. The D-Tech Fusion Edge High-Performance Compute, also known as “The Box,” is one of those tools.

“It took racks and racks took probably three or four trucks to do what hauling racks of servers around to do what this one box will do for the future warfighter books out there,” Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, vice president of business development and strategy at Cubic Defense, said.

People involved with designing The Box said it can run a remote command and control operation. Additionally, it can take data produced by the tools in use and quickly format it for easy interpretation by ground teams as they make combat decisions.

“It’s about converging data transfer, translating that into intelligence, and then delivering that to a decision making in a timely manner so they can make the right decisions, and that’s what this does,” Terry said. “This is going to be exactly what those warfighters are going to need out there at those levels.”

Cubic Defense currently has several government contracts, but they have not confirmed who will use The Box first.

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Blue Angels roar over Naval Academy ahead of graduation

May 22, 2024

It’s a tradition that’s only possible in Annapolis, Maryland. Every May, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels soar over the United States Naval Academy and put on a show for the graduating class and thousands of spectators on land and water.

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The Blue Angels did it again on Wednesday, May 22, ahead of Friday’s graduation ceremony, during which they will fly over the academy’s football stadium.

After four hard years of school, training, and a commitment to serve in the Navy or Marine Corps for at least five years, the soon-to-be commissioned officers get to enjoy a well-deserved show.

However, this year, there’s another very worthy viewer: Retired Army Col. Fred Jones.

“This is great being on the water,” Jones told Straight Arrow News. “Very excited about watching it this year and this is really one of the best air shows you’ll ever see.”

Jones served 10 years in active duty, 25 in the reserves and did another seven as a civilian as chief of staff for Special Operations Command Africa. As a paratrooper, he jumped out of perfectly functioning aircraft 109 times.

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For Wednesday’s show, Jones was on the water enjoying it with his wife, brother and sister-in-law.

“We sponsor two midshipmen from the academy,” Jones said. “So we’ve had more access to the academy and getting to know a couple of young midshipmen has been great. All worthwhile, we really like it here.”

The jets fly so low, spectators on the water can get a true feel of their power. It’s a thrill for first-time viewers and locals who watch every year. The Blue Angels team performed maneuvers that take them within 18 inches of each other and push their bodies up to 7 G’s.

“It’s a great show,” Jones said. “It’s great to see them working together.”

When it’s over, Maryland’s capital is filled with horns and awe. The Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron then flies out as fast as it came in and everyone looks forward to next year.
Special operations forces work to stay mission ready: Weapons and Warfare

May 15, 2024
This week on Weapons and Warfare, head to Tampa for Special Operations Forces Week, aka SOF Week 2024. Host Ryan Robertson takes a look at some of the problems facing the SOF community and what they’re doing to stay mission ready in the face of those challenges.

Also featured in this episode:
- The Department Of Defense’s Replicator Initiative — created to help defend against China — chose its first weapon: a one-way attack drone.
- Special Operations Command paused plans for an amphibious cargo plane that could land on water.
- An important Army vehicle has received a glow up, and the newest variant of this combat workhorse is the most survivable and modern edition to date.
- The weapon of the week may look like a toy, but its users aren’t playing around with throwable, 360-degree camera.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
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Haunting and cryptic video aims to lure more to join US Army

May 2, 2024
Fort Liberty, North Carolina, is at the center of an innovative new recruitment strategy by the U.S. Army. A video released on Thursday, May 2, titled “Ghost in the Machine 2” caused quite a stir. A major from the 8th Psychological Operations Group based at Fort Liberty created the video, using haunting imagery and historical voices to captivate the audience.

The ad is a strategic move by the Army’s psychological warfare soldiers to attract new recruits, particularly for the Special Operations Command. The video’s cryptic messages and captivating visuals personify the kind of work these soldiers do to influence public opinion and wage wars of words overseas.

Psyop units, like the 8th Psychological Operations Group, are tasked with missions ranging from simple leaflet drops to sophisticated propaganda campaigns aimed at shaping foreign opinion. For instance, in World War II, the so-called U.S. Ghost Army used innovative tactics like inflatable tanks and radio tricks to outwit the Germans.

Today, psychological operations remain critical for the U.S. Army, although their work is often classified. One recent example includes helping Ukrainian troops in countering Russian disinformation campaigns.

However, despite the critical nature of their work, recruiting for psyop units has proven challenging. The U.S. Army struggled to meet enlistment goals recently. It cited factors such as low unemployment, competition from the private sector and pandemic-related restrictions, which did not allow for recruiters in schools.

Recruiters hope that the “Ghost in the Machine” videos will spark interest among potential recruits. Initial feedback from soldiers who viewed the first video suggests that it has had a significant influence on their decision to pursue a career in psychological operations.

As the U.S. Army continues its recruitment efforts, one thing is clear: the power of words and ideas remains a potent force in shaping the future of military operations.
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Boat builders looking for new mission: Weapons and Warfare

May 1, 2024
In this episode of Weapons and Warfare, head out on the Potomac River with host Ryan Robertson as he visits a longtime boat maker. Ghostworks Marine is a maritime company hoping to turn its yacht racing background into a winning formula for special operations forces.

Also featured in this episode:
- The United States is planning to pull out from a West African nation, but that could be cause for concern if the country turns to Russia or Iran for help.
- A German manufacturer is setting up shop in the Baltics, bringing more security to the region.
- The Army axed its plans for a new helicopter program, saying its mission has changed, leaving hundreds looking for new work.
- Plus, this episode’s weapon of the week is an unmanned assault aircraft from Bell, which could be a big player in the future of America’s national defense.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
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A new loitering drone waits before striking: Weapon of the week

March 27, 2024
In December, Straight Arrow News profiled an AI-guided drone hunter from Anduril. Now, the same company has the ALTIUS-700M, a drone that doesn’t need to have the target in sight before being launched.

The ALTIUS-700M can fly for 75 minutes with a range of 100 miles. It’s a loitering drone, which means it can passively wait for the target to come into view before striking and detonating.

For example, if someone knows where the enemy is going to be, but it’s unclear where they are coming from, the ALTIUS can circle overhead until the target comes into sight and the operator hits full send.

Anduril released video of the trials at the Dugway Providing Grounds (DPG) in Utah. According to a release from the company, the ALTIUS-700M was armed with a 22 pound warhead and scored several direct hits.

Like its predecessor, the 600M, the 700 can be launched from land, sea or air, making it a versatile and capable option for potential user.

Anduril has yet to say who is interested in adding the ALTIUS-700 to its arsenal, however, the U.S. Army did conduct a successful test with the U.S. Special Operations Command in December.

According to a release from the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Management Office, the 700M was successfully launched from a Black Hawk helicopter.

Anduril is relatively new to the defense industry, started in 2017 by co-founder Palmer Lucky. Lucky is the man behind the Oculus Rift — on of the first commercially available virtual reality headsets.

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

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Army restructuring branch, cuts 24,000 jobs amid recruiting shortfalls

February 27, 2024
The U.S. Army is cutting 24,000 positions in a move to restructure the military branch. According to the Army, the 5% of its force being cut are already empty posts, as recruitment shortages mean there aren’t enough soldiers to fill the existing roles.

The branch is not asking any soldiers to leave, but rather repositioning them to prepare for any upcoming conflicts, potentially on new task forces.

The Army said it is currently “significantly over-structured” because thousands of troops who were once needed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are no longer in demand.

About 3,000 cuts will come from special operations. Approximately 10,000 posts will be cut from cavalry squadrons, combat teams and security force brigades. Another 10,000 engineer-like positions will be slashed, according to the Army.

While some departments are losing positions, others are gaining. The Army plans to add 7,500 troops to other critical missions, including air-defense and counter-drone units.

There are also plans to create task forces aligning with growing modern threats. New units will have enhanced cyber, intelligence and long-range strike capabilities.

The decision to cut jobs comes after years of struggling for the Army to fill them in the first place. The current structure allows for 494,000 soldiers and there are currently 445,000 active-duty soldiers enlisted. Under the new restructuring, the goal will be to reach 470,000.
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New stealth technology could be coming to the Navy: Weapon of the week

February 7, 2024
For nearly 20 years, the U.S. Navy has been working to make stealth technology part of how it operates. One notable example is the Zumwalt-class destroyer, which uses guided missiles for stealth attacks. Now, the destroyer could have some company in the form of the K4 MANTA.

The K4 MANTA is built by the Kraken Technology Group. It acts as an underwater stealth drone and is classified as an USSV — an Uncrewed Surface-Subsurface Vessel.

A promotional video from Kraken Technology details some of the vessel’s attributes, including features like 10 days of autonomous operations, a modular payload bay, and the ability to help carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. With a top speed of 45 knots — a little more than 50 miles per hour — the MANTA has a range of 300 miles.

The MANTA is engineered with an aerodynamic and hydrodynamic hull that can cruise above the surface of open water until it’s time to take cover. That’s when the stealth technology comes in — the K4 MANTA can slip beneath the waves, leaving behind a low acoustic signature and potentially linking up with other pre-staged MANTAS to help with an attack.

The K4 MANTA recently got some real-world work after partnering with the U.S. Special Operations Command for a technical experimentation event. According to a post on Kraken Technology’s Facebook page, the December gathering was successful.

There is no official word from the government on if or when these K4 MANTAS could officially join U.S. naval warfare.

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