Aviation News – The Arizona Army National Guard will become the first state unit to field the advanced Gray Eagle 25M Unmanned Aircraft Systems, with initial aircraft arrivals scheduled for September 2027 following finalized agreements with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) over the summer.
As part of the 40th Infantry Division, Arizona paves the way for the Army National Guard’s broader objective to field eight Divisional UAS Companies, with four additional units scheduled for fielding by the end of 2029. Three Gray Eagle 25M units are currently funded by Congress and under contract with GA-ASI, establishing a modern airborne capability designed to support global missions for Combatant Command (COCOM) commanders and defend against emerging threats in the Western Hemisphere.
The Gray Eagle 25M features advanced technical capabilities to support long range organic payloads and sensors alongside Launched Effects, enabling the platform to operate outside hostile threat ranges during terrestrial and maritime operations. In addition to executing core Reconnaissance Security Targeting and Acquisition (RSTA) missions, the aircraft provides crucial counter-UAS capabilities, ultimately becoming the sole Unmanned Aircraft System utilized within the ARNG arsenal.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. highlighted that this modernization effort represents a critical leap forward, stating that the fielding of the Gray Eagle 25M significantly enhances the operational readiness and tactical overmatch of the Army National Guard in complex global environments.
This milestone deployment establishes a vital operational framework for upcoming National Guard units, expanding tactical surveillance and readiness across multiple defense theaters.
