Marine Group 5 UAS Development
The FY 2027 MALE program funding, PE 0603128N, addresses requirements identified in the October 2016 MUX ICD and April 2020 MUX Requirements Clarification document. Project 3448 - MALE RDTE is pursuing MQ-9A mission (payloads/sensors) and mission enabler capabilities design, development capabilities and integration and testing. These capabilities will support the MALE program's electronic warfare, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), tactical edge automation, and airborne network support missions. Consisting of Common Operating and Intelligence Picture (COP/CIP), Detect and Avoid System (DAAS), Airborne Network Extension (ANE), Electronic Support development, integration and testing. Additionally, this RDTE is pursuing automated sensor synchronization and onboard forward edge data fusion and transmission using AI/ML apparatus that will transmit fused signals and visual information back to Marine and Joint intelligence apparatus and proliferate the information at the forward edge to Stand-In Forces (SIF) through the use of Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO). The PLEO SatCom capacity provides high data throughput and resilient command and control architecture. The USMC MALE program will be supported by UX-24 and VMX-1 as the primary test activity/squadron for capability development as well as system modification validation efforts. UX-24 will provide direct support of testing associated with payloads/sensors in support of USMC requirements. The payloads/sensors which undergo testing may require or drive hardware and software modifications during testing to satisfy system, subsystem and component level test parameters. VMX-1 provides operational test and evaluation of capabilities for MAGTF SIF such as the Marine Littoral Regiment.
MALE funding will advance the MQ-9A's capabilities by supporting the design, integration, and prototyping of payloads and sensors. These funds will also be used for ongoing development, testing, and the refinement of technical requirements to ensure the system's spiral development can rapidly integrate new technologies to counter…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY 2027 will continue program, engineering, logistics and test support for MQ-9A capability and payload development, design work, technical requirements refinement and full integration of sensors into the system.
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work FY 2027 test planning will continue developmental and operational testing of the system architecture, mission systems, spiral capabilities, associated networks and equipment.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decrease of $2.355 million is due to Development Test & Evaluation of primary Hardware/Software Electronic Warfare (EW) efforts completing and transitioning to procurement activities, as well as USMC reprioritization of requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year FY 2026 Test plan consists of developmental and operational testing of the system architecture, mission systems, spiral capabilities, associated networks and equipment.