Enhanced V-Bat spreads its wings
V-Bat in flight. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
V-Bat small UAS demonstrates GPS-denied navigation and target designation capabilities.
Northrop Grumman and Martin UAV have completed successful flight testing of a V-Bat UAS with new features including GPS-denied navigation and target designation capabilities.
The tests at Camp Grafton in North Dakota were carried out as part of the two companies’ offering under the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) programme, in which the US Army seeks a rapidly deployable, expeditionary VTOL system capable of persistent aerial reconnaissance for Brigade Combat Teams, SOF, and Ranger battalions.
The FTUAS solution must also be capable of operations in contested EW environments. It will replace the RQ-7B Shadow.
Kenn Todorov, Northrop Grumman senior VP and general manager for global sustainment and modernisation, described V-Bat as offering ‘a near-zero footprint’, flexible VTOL capability ‘that is based on a platform deployed operationally today’.
Rivals to V-Bat for the FTUAS requirement include the Arcturus Jump 20, the Textron Aerosonde HQ and the L3Harris FVR-90.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Congress limits F-35 procurement]()
US Congress limits F-35 procurement
Restrictions cover new purchases of the three variants of the multirole fighter and require the DoD to correct issues in the acquisition programme.
-
![Spain makes order for 25 Eurofighter Typhoons]()
Spain makes order for 25 Eurofighter Typhoons
Known as the Halcon II programme, the order covers 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft, set to be delivered between 2030 and 2035.
-
![T-6 Texan II trainers deepen their footprint in Asia]()
T-6 Texan II trainers deepen their footprint in Asia
Textron Aviation Defense has said it is confident it can continue to grow orders across Asia as Japan selects the T-6 Texan II to replace the Fuji T-7.
-
![Northrop gets $3.5 billion contract to integrate mission systems for E-6B successor]()
Northrop gets $3.5 billion contract to integrate mission systems for E-6B successor
The E-130J aircraft will take over the E-6B for the US Navy’s Take Charge and Move Out system.
-
![Bell selects Fort Worth site to build V-280s for the FLRAA programme]()
Bell selects Fort Worth site to build V-280s for the FLRAA programme
The facility will work towards readiness for Low-Rate Initial Production on the V-280 by 2028.
