US Army selects Ghost-X drone for reconnaissance missions

The United States Army has announced that Anduril’s Ghost-X Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) has been selected for the Company Level Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Directed Requirement (DR).

This decision is part of a broader effort to modernize the Army’s reconnaissance capabilities, rapidly fielding commercial technology to Brigade Combat Teams in order to shape future requirements, tactics, and training for the Army’s Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program.

The MRR program is designed to equip maneuver companies and operational units with advanced multi-mission capabilities for large-scale combat operations and contested environments. After a competitive procurement process and extensive flight testing, Anduril’s Ghost-X was chosen for its ability to meet the Army’s stringent requirements.

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Anduril will deliver the first Ghost-X systems later this year to units deployed in operational theaters. The selection of Ghost-X reflects its proven performance, with over 2,000 flight hours in diverse environments such as woodlands, urban areas, and deserts. The UAS has demonstrated its ability to provide critical surveillance, targeting, and communications relay functions, making it a versatile asset for tactical commanders on the ground.

Ghost-X provides the Ground Force Commander with a responsive, expeditionary capability to support decision-making at the tactical edge. With 90 minutes of endurance, a 25 km range, and a payload capacity of 25 pounds, Ghost-X is designed to meet the demands of modern warfare.

The Ghost-X features a single-rotor design and modular mission payload approach, allowing for user-configurable loadouts that adapt to evolving mission needs. With 30 inches of rail space for internal and external payloads, it offers significant mission time and flexibility, making it one of the most adaptable sUAS platforms available.

Anduril’s intuitive command and control software, Lattice, enables a single operator to control multiple Ghost-X aircraft, automating mission planning, airspace management, and threat identification. This system reduces the cognitive burden on operators and ensures effective deployment in dynamic combat scenarios.

Anduril’s collaboration with Army Futures Command, PEO Aviation, and the Defense Innovation Unit has been instrumental in shaping the Ghost-X’s development. The platform has been tested in real-world military exercises, including the Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment and Project Convergence, where it supported robotic-enabled maneuver and Human Machine Integration (HMI) efforts.

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