U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Wants Recon Drones With Multiple Sensors

The US Army Aviation Center of Excellence wants to field large numbers of reconnaissance drones carrying multiple sensors as part of future manned-unmanned aviation teams. At AUSA 2026, its commander described a requirement for broader sensing capability as the service reassesses how unmanned aircraft support reconnaissance alongside crewed helicopters. Earlier Apache and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior teams were followed by RQ-7 Shadow reconnaissance support after the Kiowa's retirement in 2017. The new approach remains a capability requirement, with no specific sensor combination, aircraft selection or procurement quantity announced, and focuses on the information delivered to crews and ground formations.