Air Force Seeks Small Drones to Extend Communications in Contested Environments Written 2 October 2026
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U.S. Airmen from the 33rd Special Operations Squadron JUMP 20 unmanned aerial vehicle team unload a JUMP 20 from an MC-130J aircraft. | Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vernon R. Walter III
Defense Daily reports the U.S. Air Force is seeking already-developed, attritable small drones that could form a communications mesh network for operations against adversaries with advanced electronic warfare and weapons. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center says the systems would have a maximum takeoff weight of 330 pounds, including fuel and payload, and a minimum range of 1,000 kilometers. The service is looking for the drones to operate “as part of a mesh network” and be deployable from Air Force Special Operations Command fixed-wing aircraft.
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