New Images Unveil Details of US Air Force's Semi-Secret Spy Drone ULTRA.

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled new images shedding light on the development of its semi-secret spy drone, known as the "Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft" (ULTRA). This advanced drone, designed for long-duration missions, is engineered to provide continuous coverage of remote geographic areas.
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The U.S. Air Force has released a video showing a flight test of the Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft ULTRA. (Picture source: U.S. Air Force)

The images were recently released by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the principal scientific research and development center for the Air Force. The ULTRA drone has been developed in collaboration with DZYNE Technologies, a partner known for its innovative contributions to unmanned aerial systems.

The newly released visuals offer a glimpse into the sophisticated design and capabilities of the ULTRA, highlighting its potential to revolutionize reconnaissance missions. Equipped to endure lengthy operations, the drone promises to enhance the Air Force's ability to monitor and gather intelligence from isolated and challenging environments.

The ULTRA drone represents a significant advancement in tactical reconnaissance technology, aligning with the Air Force's ongoing efforts to enhance its surveillance capabilities. This development underscores the strategic importance of integrating cutting-edge technology to maintain a tactical advantage in modern warfare.

The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a cutting-edge aircraft conceived by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Center for Rapid Innovation (CRI) and developed in partnership with DZYNE Technologies Incorporated (DZYNE). ULTRA offers combatant commanders comprehensive global operational access through an affordable, GPS-hardened, ultra-long endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform. With an endurance capability exceeding 80 hours and the capacity to carry over 180 kg (400 pounds) of payload, ULTRA uniquely overcomes the challenges of distance that limit the operational use of current unmanned platforms in extensive ranges, such as those required in the Pacific.

Designed as an ISR "truck," ULTRA is capable of carrying various electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), radiofrequency (RF), and other low-cost intelligence collection payloads and sensors, providing users with a versatile, mission-ready platform. Its exceptional endurance allows these ISR sensors to deliver continuous coverage of areas of interest with fewer aircraft, making ULTRA a cost-effective solution for extensive area surveillance.

ULTRA achieves its long endurance and cost-efficiency by repurposing a formerly manned commercial sport glider into a militarized unmanned air vehicle. It leverages commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UAS technology, existing manufacturing and supply channels, and limited custom avionics to keep acquisition and sustainment costs low. The integration of lower-cost EO/IR and RF sensors is facilitated by operating at lower altitudes, which do not require large optics or high-power RF to maintain effectiveness.

The ULTRA system features an operator-friendly command and control interface that supports "Point and Click" operations. Global operations are enabled through satellite-based command and control links, providing operators with a high-rate ISR data feed in real-time.

Further details about the specific capabilities and operational deployment plans of the ULTRA drone remain classified, reflecting its semi-secret status. However, the release of these images marks a pivotal step in showcasing the progress and potential of this innovative reconnaissance aircraft.