FTUAS (Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System)

The Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) is a U.S. Army program aimed at delivering transformational reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) capabilities to Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) via a runway-independent, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS with on-the-move command and control, modular open systems approach, and soldier-led maintenance for multi-domain operations. As of recent milestones including prototype flight demonstrations by vendors like Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems at Redstone Test Center, the program is in the Middle Tier Acquisition pathway with competitive prototyping, design reviews, and operational assessments through FY2025, leading to a program of record selection. Strategically, FTUAS enhances BCT maneuverability, survivability, and intelligence collection to penetrate adversary Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2AD) environments, enabling manned-unmanned teaming within the Future Vertical Lift ecosystem for joint force overmatch.