Mentioned:General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Arizona National Guard announced as the first state unit to field General Atomics' Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aircraft system. The unit will receive 8 aircraft by September 2027 and 4 additional aircraft by the end of 2029.
What's happening
- Arizona National Guard will receive 8 Gray Eagle 25M aircraft by September 2027 and 4 more by end of 2029, totaling 12 aircraft.
- Gray Eagle 25M features open architecture design, advanced datalinks, and modernized propulsion system compared to the original Gray Eagle platform.
- National Guard goal includes establishing a UAS company in each of its 8 infantry divisions, with Congress funding 3 Gray Eagle 25M guard units total.
- Gray Eagle 25M completed first flight in December 2023 following a 389 million dollar federal contract awarded to General Atomics that same month.
Why it matters
- Gray Eagle 25M establishes organic air reconnaissance and fires-support capability at state National Guard level, reducing reliance on active Army assets for regional contingencies.
- Modernized platform with 1 million hours of proven operational experience and automatic takeoff and landing capability reduces operator training burden and operational risk.
- Eight-division Guard UAS company model standardizes advanced unmanned capability across the National Guard, enabling coordinated operations with manned rotary-wing and ground maneuver forces.
- Extended payload capacity and flight endurance compared to predecessor enhance surveillance, targeting, and electronic warfare capabilities for both domestic and global Combatant Command support.
Going deeper
- Gray Eagle 25M open architecture design enables modular upgrades and integration of new sensors or weapons without full aircraft redesign, extending platform relevance.
- Arizona Guard unit will operate as part of 40th Infantry Division, which spans 11 other states or territories, suggesting regional coordination model for future Guard UAS deployments.
The fine print
- Congressional funding covers only 3 Gray Eagle 25M guard units total; additional acquisitions beyond these three would require separate appropriations or reallocation.
- Timing spans 3 years with initial 8-aircraft delivery in September 2027 and final 4-aircraft delivery by end of 2029; sustained production rates required to meet schedule.
Source: Defense News · Oct 16, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
