This was the first time the soldiers could operate the system independently.

Image US Army

To improve its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, the US Army has introduced the K1000 Ultra-Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

Developed by California-based Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, this solar-powered drone is now operational with the Army’s 1st Multi-Effects Battalion (MDEB) under the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF).​

Solar drone for surveillance

According to a press release by the US Army, the highlight of the training was the network extension integration and deep sensing capability of High-Altitude Balloons (HABs) and the experimentation with K1000 ultra-long-endurance, solar-powered UAS.

“This is our first real exercise integrating government owned and operated ultra long-endurance UAS specifically designed for long-range deep sensing,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Mroszczyk, commander of 1 MDEB.

Before the exercise, the unit spent two years working with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace to test and train on the long-endurance UAS system.

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