A recent US DoD report to Congress (source:
WIRED) gives insight into future year defense spending on unmanned air vehicles. The report shows the number of vehicles in inventory will increase from 7,140 in 2012 to 8,266 in 2017, with more than $18.6 billion spent on procurement to reach the 8,266 platforms.
Spending is dominated by the Army, specifically on the MQ-1C (Gray Eagle) acquisition of 152 vehicles at a cost of $12 billion. The number of vehicles is also dominated by Army with almost 800 RQ-11B (Raven) purchases for a total of 7074 Ravens in 2017.
Beyond 2017
Inventories plateau between 2016 and 2017 as Army Raven and Gray Eagle acquisition ends. Acquisition beyond 2017 is hard to predict accurately given uncertainties in budgeting (sequestration, etc.) and the drawdown of assets from Afghanistan.
However, lead acquisition officers gave insights at AUVSI Program Review 2013 and the 2013 President’s Budget provides more information. For the Navy, BAMS and Fire Scout purchases continue and UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike) begins. The Army has no new UAV acquisition planned through 2025. The Air Force MQ-9 acquisitions continue along with advanced sensor upgrades for existing platforms.
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