Class I Unmanned Aerial System Block 0 (CL I BLK 0)

The Class I Block 0 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is a platoon level asset that provides the dismounted Soldier with an organic Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) asset at the platoon and squad level. The aerial vehicle operates in complex urban and wooded terrains with a vertical take-off and landing capability. The Class I Block 0 also features a gasoline engine and the payload has an electro-optical / infrared gimbaled sensor supporting day or night operations.

The air vehicle operates in open, rolling, complex and urban terrains with a vertical take-off and landing capability. It is interoperable with select ground and air platforms and controlled by mounted or dismounted Soldiers. The Class I uses autonomous flight and navigation, but it will interact with the network and Soldier to dynamically update routes and target information. It provides dedicated reconnaissance support and early warning to the lowest echelons of the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) in environments not suited to larger assets.

The Class I system provides a hover and stare capability that is not currently available in the Army UAV inventory for urban and route surveillance. The Class I system also fills known gaps that exist in force operations, including: Force protection in Counterinsurgency (COIN) operations; Soldier protection in COIN environments; Hover and stare operations; Enhanced ISR/RSTA capabilities; and Ability to conduct joint urban operations.

 

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