The U.S. Army is evaluating a new unmanned aerial system designed to transform frontline logistics and combat support operations.
During March exercises at Fort Irwin as part of Project Convergence-Capstone 5 (PC-C5), troops tested the Multi-Mission, Utility, Logistics & Expedition (MULE) drone, developed by WaveAerospace, a company focused on advanced VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) platforms.
According to the company, the MULE drone was purpose-built for contested logistics environments on land and at sea, offering a reliable and mobile platform capable of operating under harsh conditions. The platform demonstrated the ability to transport supplies, support command and control, and assist in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C3ISR) tasks.
In contested or GPS-degraded environments, the drone’s onboard inertial navigation system ensures continued operation. It features multi-constellation GPS that is hardened against spoofing attempts—providing resilience in electronic warfare conditions where satellite signals are unreliable or compromised.
WaveAerospace says the MULE drone is engineered for endurance and resilience. It can fly up to four hours in a single mission, carry over 40 kilograms (100 pounds) of payload, and cruise at speeds ranging from 50 to 70 knots. The drone is equipped to operate in Force 10 ocean wind conditions and can function in temperature extremes ranging from -17°C to 50°C (0°F to 122°F).
During PC-C5, the U.S. military explored new technologies aimed at improving distributed operations, autonomous resupply, and expeditionary sustainment. The MULE’s self-charging electric system—powered by heavy fuels or liquid propane—gives it flexibility in fuel logistics while extending its mission readiness in remote or austere environments.
The drone’s dimensions, with a 3.5-meter unfolded span and carbon fiber pre-balanced propellers, are optimized for rapid deployment and compact transport.
WaveAerospace describes the platform as a “heavy-lift VTOL solution for dynamic combat logistics,” adding that it fills a critical gap in short- to medium-range unmanned resupply where ground routes are contested or unavailable.