US Army Tests Heavy-Lift Cargo Drone for Battlefield Resupply

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The U.S. Army recently tested the TRV-150 heavy-lift drone at Fort Stewart, Georgia, signaling a shift in military logistics. The TRV-150, already in use with the U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Navy, can carry up to 150 lbs of cargo over 43 miles, delivering essential supplies directly to front lines and reducing the need for vulnerable vehicle convoys.

Why it matters

Adopting drones like the TRV-150 aligns with the U.S. Army's focus on 'tactical innovation' - bridging the gap between soldiers' knowledge of battlefield challenges and the resources needed to develop effective solutions. Drones offer a rapid, adaptable response to evolving needs, reducing risk to personnel and maintaining a critical edge on the battlefield.

The details

The TRV-150 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) drone developed by Malloy Aeronautics. It can carry up to 68 kg (150 lbs) at a cruise speed of 67 mph for approximately 36 minutes per mission, using waypoint navigation for autonomous flight planning. The Army's testing at Fort Stewart focused on integrating the drone into existing unit procedures and workflows.

• The U.S. Army recently tested the TRV-150 drone at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

What’s next

The Army's focus during the Fort Stewart exercise was on integrating the TRV-150 drone into existing unit procedures and workflows, signaling its intent to further develop and deploy this technology.