The US Army has selected Quantum Systems’ Vector AI reconnaissance drones to equip brigade combat groups.
The contract under the Directed Requirement 2 initiative is valued at $15.3 million, the company said.
The delivery of these systems will help develop the upcoming Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program. It will define the next generation of tactical unmanned aerial systems for maneuver units.
Experts selected Vector AI based on the results of a competitive evaluation of aircraft characteristics, payload integration, and compatibility with the Army’s future software architecture.
Quantum Systems CEO Dave Sharpin emphasized that the Vector platform has flown more than 20,000 hours in Ukraine alone.
This operational experience helped developers improve the system’s autonomy and adaptability for missions in difficult conditions.
In 2023, the Pentagon selected the American branch of Germany’s Quantum Systems as a promising manufacturer of reconnaissance UAVs for the US Special Operations Forces.
The US Special Operations Forces Command allocated $20 million to increase the capacity of the Vector drone production company at facilities in the United States.
Vector is a fixed-wing vertical take-off reconnaissance drone. The device does not require a launch catapult or runway.
The system is supplied in an 8.2 kg transport bag that can be carried by one person. Preparing the UAV for flight takes only two minutes.
The Vector has a wingspan of 2.8 m and a flight speed of up to 72 km/h. The flight duration is about 180 minutes at cruising speed. The UAV has a powerful optical station with a thermal imaging channel.
The Vector AI version is additionally equipped with an artificial intelligence module. If necessary, the drone can be equipped with a WASP (Weles Acoustic Sensor Payload) acoustic sensor.
