- The United States Army awarded AV a production contract for P550 Long Range Reconnaissance drones through the UAS Marketplace Basic Ordering Agreement
- The procurement aims to provide battalion commanders with faster access to reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities while reducing acquisition timelines to days
The United States Army on March 20 awarded a production contract to AV for its P550 Long Range Reconnaissance unmanned aircraft systems.
The systems were procured through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Marketplace Basic Ordering Agreement, a contracting mechanism designed to speed up acquisition timelines.
Officials said the program is intended to provide commanders with organic reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition tools while maintaining distance from potential threats on the battlefield.
According to the Army’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office, the P550 Long Range Reconnaissance systems are designed to enhance situational awareness for maneuver battalion commanders. The service said the systems support reconnaissance missions, target identification, and real-time battlefield monitoring in complex operational environments.
The contract was issued under the UAS Marketplace Basic Ordering Agreement, which allows the Army to procure unmanned systems through a streamlined process. As described by the service, the marketplace framework reduces procurement timelines from traditional acquisition cycles to a matter of days, enabling faster delivery of new capabilities to deployed units.
“This award is a testament to the Army’s commitment to rapid and agile acquisition,” said Col. Danielle Medaglia, Project Manager for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. “The UAS Marketplace reduces traditional, lengthy procurement timelines to a few days. This allows us to get the most advanced capabilities into the hands of our Soldiers at the speed of relevance, ensuring they are equipped to meet current and future challenges.”
The Army said the procurement forms part of its ongoing modernization of the tactical unmanned aircraft systems portfolio. The focus is on fielding systems that can operate in contested environments where ground forces require timely intelligence and reduced exposure to threats.
AV, the contractor selected for the award, produces multi-domain robotic systems for defense and government customers. The company’s P550 platform is part of a broader portfolio of unmanned systems designed to provide intelligence collection and support a range of mission sets, including reconnaissance and surveillance.
Long-range reconnaissance drones such as the P550 are intended to extend the reach of ground units beyond line-of-sight observation. These systems typically provide live video feeds, sensor data, and target tracking, allowing commanders to assess terrain, monitor enemy movement, and coordinate operations without direct contact.
The use of organic drone systems at the battalion level reduces reliance on higher-echelon assets and shortens the time needed to gather and act on intelligence. That is particularly relevant in fast-moving or contested environments where delays in information can affect decision-making and force protection.
The Army’s emphasis on rapid acquisition through the UAS Marketplace reflects a broader shift toward more flexible procurement models. By using pre-established agreements with industry partners, the service can introduce new technologies more quickly than through traditional multi-year acquisition programs.