Funds freed up from the U.S. Army’s aviation rebalance will accelerate Long-Range Launched Effects (LE) development and procurement. LE is an Army initiative for unmanned aerial platforms that can deliver various capabilities, such as targeting, reconnaissance, and kinetic strike.

The Army is moving towards prioritizing drones and LE platforms for enemy contact, representing a new direction in the Army’s aviation portfolio.

The Army plans to issue a request for proposals for a Corps-level asset in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, focusing on small and medium LE platforms first before moving to long-range versions.

Collaboration with the joint force and maturity of longer-range capabilities are key considerations for the Army’s aviation development efforts.

Medium-range LE platforms are being developed with industry partners, including Anduril Industries, Collins Aerospace, and Aurora Flight Sciences, with extensive flight testing and prototyping in progress.

Efficient acquisition processes and streamlining of capabilities are part of the Army’s strategy for rapid capability development.

User demonstrations for short-range LE platforms are planned by the Army to gather feedback from the force, following a proven model used in other small unmanned aircraft systems efforts.