Flyer Defense has unveiled a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) configuration of its Flyer 72-HD ground mobility vehicle at this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Flyer 72 – Heavy Duty (F72-HD), developed as a lightweight, multi-role platform for U.S. Special Operations Forces, was shown with a new loadout integrating electronic warfare and kinetic capabilities designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones during mobile operations.
Selected by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as its Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 (GMV 1.1) Program of Record, the Flyer 72-HD is built for transportability and speed. At just 72 inches wide, the vehicle is certified for internal loading in CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters, as well as C-130 aircraft. Once deployed, it can be armed and ready for combat in less than a minute, the company says.
In the C-UAS configuration on display at AUSA, the vehicle was equipped with the SAMSON Dual Remote Weapon Station (RWS) paired with electronic warfare systems. Flyer Defense says the combination allows crews to detect and disrupt drones in real time, while maintaining the vehicle’s core mobility and rapid response characteristics.
The platform’s modular design allows it to support multiple crew sizes — up to nine personnel — and a wide range of weapons and sensors. It features a payload capacity of 5,700 pounds and is engineered to accommodate mission-specific kits, such as the counter-drone package presented at the show.
Flyer Defense emphasizes that the adaptable communications suite integrated into the F72-HD gives operators real-time situational awareness, extending operating range and enhancing decision-making under pressure.
The SAMSON turret, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, supports multiple weapons — including cannons, machine guns, and anti-tank missiles — and is equipped with advanced optics and sensors. When paired with electronic warfare modules, it allows the vehicle to conduct both soft-kill and hard-kill engagements against drones.