An Italian soldier holds a small ISR drone during military exercises in Sardinia, Italy, in April 2023. Drone maker AIRO Group has announced a new sale to the US government; the parameters of the sale are still uncertain. (US Marine Corps/OR-4 Martin Glinker)

Why America Is Buying More ISR Drones

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AIRO Group has previously sold its RQ-35 and RQ-70 drones to NATO, but Monday’s announcement marks their first contract with the US government.

The US government has ordered a new tranche of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from AIRO Group Holdings—marking the entry of the McLean, Virginia-based company into the US market after years of sales in Europe.

AIRO announced the sale on Monday. It has not indicated which agency or department in the United States government has awarded it a contract. Nor has it disclosed the financial value or number of aircraft to be delivered.

Both drones were developed for organic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

In July, AIRO’s RQ-35 UAS was placed on the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Blue UAS List, clearing the system for procurement across US government agencies and paving the way for future contracts.

“We have tremendous confidence in our technology, our design and our manufacturing, and this order demonstrates it,” said Joe Burns, Chief Executive Officer of AIRO. “US government buyers hold drone suppliers to some of the most........

© The National Interest