UAS Payloads
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sensor Payload program provides the capability to develop, improve, integrate, field, and sustain Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and non-ISR payloads and enabling technologies for the USMC Family of UAS. These payloads will alleviate Marine Corps ISR capability gaps caused by changes in mission, threats, and technologies and will increase the versatility of UAS in support of Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission accomplishment. In support of the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) Planning Guidance and Force Modernization requirements, UAS Sensor Payloads provide modular, low-cost aerial sensing technologies to achieve the Maritime Domain Awareness required by Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs) and marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) in support of the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command (JFMCC). Within the context of Maritime Domain Operations, Marine forces executing Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) require the organic capability to establish and maintain awareness of adversaries and potential adversary activities in communications and navigation degraded or denied environments. UAS Payloads enable the sensing of threat indicators across the electromagnetic spectrum, gravimetric, chemical, nuclear, and acoustic spectrums and within the visual and physical domain and radar spectrum, with reduced signature, and minimized risk to personnel. The incorporation of advanced technology enablers such as artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and precision geolocation provides automated recognition, identification, tracking, advanced networks, advanced communications, and cross-cueing in support of accelerated battlespace awareness and targeting. As an essential element of the kill web, UAS payloads are critical to the JFMCC targeting process to find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess the effects of lethal and non-lethal fires. Employment of UAS Sensor Payloads on platforms distributed across the MLRs and MEUs during EABO allows for greater distribution of forces while maintaining persistent awareness, enhances the security of tactical units and personnel moving across the battlespace, and enables the rapid transition between positions necessary for force survivability.
-Continue ES product correction of deficiencies, pre-planned product improvements, and air vehicle integration efforts. -Maintain lab development, integration and test capabilities. -Continue to refine AI/ML ATR algorithms and expand the scope and speed of object classification at the tactical edge. -Expand AI/ML sensor package with…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work -Continue government and contractor program management, engineering, technical and other support. -Continue Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), training concept and system development, and data management/documentation.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase is due to expanded support tasking related to enhancing payload system integrations and capabilities, and maintaining flight and cyber certifications.
FY2026 plans — current year -Continue government and contractor program management, engineering, technical and other support. -Continue Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), training concept development, and data management/documentation.
FY2027 planned work -Continue developmental and operational payload sensor suite testing. -Continue data architecture (sensor data integration) verification/validation.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase is due to additional test and evaluation in support of increased payload integration and system enhancement efforts.
FY2026 plans — current year -Continue developmental and operational payload sensor suite testing. -Initiate data architecture (sensor data integration) verification/validation.
FY2027 planned work -Continue program management support of the development, test and integration of sensor payloads. -Management Services will also account for cross-organization travel funding requirements.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Increased reflects required support for increased test efforts and payloads enhancement, integration and experimentation.
FY2026 plans — current year -Continue program management support of the development, test and integration of sensor payloads. -Management Services will also account for cross-organization travel funding requirements.