GA-ASI awarded UCLASS study contract
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) today announced that the US Navy recently awarded the company a study contract to support pre-Milestone A activities for the service’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) programme. This study contract supports the UCLASS programme’s pre-Milestone A programme activities.
'We’re pleased with this first stage award and remain committed to providing the Navy with timely delivery of a robust, affordable, and versatile aircraft carrier-based UAS that delivers superior ISR and strike capabilities satisfying the Navy’s future needs,' said Frank Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI.
The navy’s UCLASS study calls for an open, adaptive architecture and disciplined systems engineering approach in order to identify and assess potential trade space. In response, GA-ASI plans to capitalise on this and its parallel engineering assessments to develop an affordable, low-risk, high-technology solution that leverages nearly 20 years of Predator/Gray Eagle-series UAS development, manufacturing, system support, and 1.5 million flight hours of operational experience to date. Many GA-ASI aircraft elements, components, and subsystems already provide the mature, proven, and reliable mission capabilities desired by the Navy. The UCLASS programme is also expected to leverage existing, deployed DOD systems to launch, recover, and control the UAS autonomously, transfer UAS data in support of persistent ISR operations and time-critical strike.
Awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the eight-month study contract calls for development of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and support for analysis of alternative activities. In addition, it requires analysis of the relative maturity and near-term availability of UCLASS-relevant technologies and identifying ways to shorten key development, test, and certification timelines.
Source: GA-ASI
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
