U.S. Army-built drone motors power record 521-minute flight in push to secure domestic component supply chains for military drones

Two US Army-built 3115-size brushless motors powered a Group 1 drone through a claimed 521-minute, 43-second endurance record during the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Game of Drones on July 16. The motors came from a new production facility opened at Tobyhanna Army Depot on June 30 and were paired with a software-designed, three-dimensional-printed airframe and independent battery. Rock Island Arsenal produced frames, Red River Army Depot supplied batteries, and Tobyhanna also made circuit cards. The effort seeks Blue List approval and a domestic supply chain that reduces reliance on components sourced from potential adversaries.