Arizona will become the first state to establish a Gray Eagle 25M UAV unit within the Army National Guard. Each of the eight aircraft scheduled for delivery in September 2027 will be able to remain airborne for nearly 40 hours. They will be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection and C-UAS missions.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and the Arizona Army National Guard finalized delivery plans during the summer. Following Arizona, four additional units are planned to enter service by the end of 2029. The Army National Guard aims to establish one Gray Eagle 25M company for each of its eight divisions. Currently, three Gray Eagle 25M units are funded by Congress and are under contract with GA-ASI. As a result, the Gray Eagle 25M will become the only UAV in the Army National Guard inventory.
Nearly 40 Hours of Endurance and C-UAS Capability
The Gray Eagle 25M UAV can remain airborne for nearly 40 hours. The system can be used not only for reconnaissance missions but also for C-UAS operations against drone threats. In addition, thanks to its high payload capacity and open architecture, the Gray Eagle 25M allows the integration of sensors, networks, kinetic and non-kinetic effects. Therefore, it is also expected to contribute to the Army National Guard’s Golden Dome missions.
The Gray Eagle 25M, a modernized version of the Gray Eagle ER, was developed to meet the U.S. Army’s expeditionary operations and advanced sensor requirements. The system is equipped with the EagleEye multimode radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors. It also supports additional payload options.
Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Detection
The introduction of the Gray Eagle 25M into Army National Guard divisions is intended to enable mission planning, targeting, communications, coordination and training activities. These activities will be conducted organically within the units. The system will also allow reconnaissance, surveillance and target detection missions for the first time. As a result, these missions can be carried out without putting personnel at risk.
The deployment of the Gray Eagle 25M in Arizona and the 40th Infantry Division will enhance the Army National Guard’s operational capabilities. The system will be able to support domestic operations such as disaster response. In addition, it will support overseas combat missions.
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Source: C4Defence – GA-ASI
