USAF Looking at ISR Niches for Group 2 and Group 3 Drones - Defense Daily

The U.S. Air Force is examining what “niches” Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aircraft could fill within its future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) network, according to Air Force Col. John Dayton, program acquisition executive for ISR/SOF. Speaking during a panel at AFLCMC’s annual industry days conference in Dayton, Ohio, Dayton said the service is reassessing reliance on low-density, high-value “exquisite” manned and unmanned platforms. The remarks come as the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Air Force this month announced a solicitation on Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) intended to replace the General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper referenced by Defense Daily on July 9.