Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles program, specifically the Ultra Long-endurance Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA), is an initiative led by the Air Force. It aims to develop a cost-effective Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capable of sustained multi-day flights. The primary goal is to leverage commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to reduce costs associated with custom or proprietary components, simplifying maintenance and manpower requirements. This approach allows for a modular and flexible payload integration architecture, enabling rapid adaptation to customer-driven payload needs.

Initiated by the Air Force Research Lab in 2018, ULTRA addresses demands for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while maintaining affordability. The program builds on previous successes from various Department of Defense and partner-funded projects, such as the Long Endurance Aerial Platform UAS transitioned in 2019. These foundational efforts have informed ULTRA's development and demonstration phases, including its initial flight tests conducted in 2019 and subsequent operational evaluations in 2020.

The program's objectives include integrating a commercial-off-the-shelf turbo-charged engine to enhance ULTRA's altitude and airspeed capabilities for specific mission areas. Additionally, it aims to integrate a commercial engine control unit and refine control systems for managing multiple unmanned aerial systems. Continued aircrew training and curriculum development are essential components of the program, ensuring readiness for extended operational testing and evaluation in relevant environments.

In FY 2024, the focus is on completing integration tasks necessary for a flight demonstration in operationally relevant settings. Plans for FY 2025 indicate a realignment into the Airborne Reconnaissance Systems program to support imaging and targeting initiatives. This strategic shift reflects an adjustment in priorities while maintaining the overarching goal of developing an affordable ultra-long endurance ISR platform responsive to evolving operational needs.