Army aviation soldiers at Fort Rucker, Alabama, began training last week on the Lockheed Martin VXE30 Stalker uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) as the service prepares to field the equipment next month. The system incorporates lessons from recent conflicts, including reduced acoustic and visual signatures, vertical takeoff capability and updated munitions technology. The effort reflects an ongoing push to integrate new UAS platforms into training as the Army looks to shift many roles away from manned aviation.

Army Maj. Wolf Amacker, UAS and Tactics Branch chief for the center’s Training and Doctrine Directorate, said the introduction of the Stalker marks a step forward in layered reconnaissance training.

“This is the first time in years that we will be utilizing a Group 2, almost Group 3 s

See Full Page