Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Air Force Eyes Small UAS; Services Favor VTOL Capability
The Air Force will release a strategic plan for using smaller unmanned aircraft systems than it has traditionally operated.
A ScanEagle attached to the Flying Launch and Recovery System is shown above Insitu's exhibit at Xponential. (Photo: Bill Carey)
A ScanEagle attached to the Flying Launch and Recovery System is shown above Insitu's exhibit at Xponential. (Photo: Bill Carey)

The U.S. Air Force is eyeing smaller unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) than it has traditionally operated, and all U.S. services are interested in systems with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, ranking officers said this week at the Xponential conference in New Orleans. Manufacturers touted new such designs at the event sponsored by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.