One Small Step for a UAV, One Big Step for FCS Class I

One Small Step for a UAV, One Big Step for FCS Class I (NSI News Source Info) November 6, 2008: New American Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designs and contracts tended to focus on the larger Class II company and Class III battalion-level options, while our FOCUS Article covering the MQ-8B Fire Scout addressed the Class IV brigade-level UAV for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The smaller “Class I” platoon-level UAV options were addressed only in passing, largely because that aspect of the program wasn’t yet at the same level of development.

Class 1 MAV

The FCS Class I UAV will be used for reconnaissance, security and target acquisition operations in nearly all terrain, including urban environments. Each system of two vertical take-off and landing air vehicles, a dismounted control device, and associated ground support equipment will be carried by selected platforms and dismounted soldiers, and will use autonomous flight, navigation, and recovery.