Navy to Hold Heavy-Lift Drone Fly-Off in Alabama
The Navy is inviting companies to a January 2027 demonstration of a second-generation Marine Corps resupply drone capable of carrying heavier loads farther than current battery-electric models.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Robotics
Live Poll
Do you think the U.S. should spend more on its military?
The Navy will hold a fly-off in Huntsville, Alabama, from January 25 to February 5, 2027, for the Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System Increment II. Companies have until November 30, 2026, to apply.
Why it matters
The requirement calls for a drone that can carry a 100-pound load about 46 miles, far beyond the roughly 9-mile full-load range of the current battery-electric TRV-150C. Selected entries could move toward production without a further competition, shaping how the Marine Corps resupplies units in the field.
The Increment II drone must fly at a minimum cruise speed of 50 knots at altitudes up to 1,000 feet, with a preferred maximum takeoff weight of 350 pounds and up to five autonomous sorties per aircraft. The Navy has not yet indicated which entrants will meet these specifications.
The players
United States Navy
The Navy's Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems issued the requirement and is running the fly-off as part of its unmanned logistics program.
U.S. Marine Corps
The Marine Corps plans to issue three to six of the drones to every logistics battalion by 2028 to support field resupply.
The details
The Navy's Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Robotic and Autonomous Systems posted the requirement on October 30. Each selected aircraft must be controllable by one operator managing up to four drones over encrypted radios without GPS.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Navy posts the Increment II requirement.
November 13, 2026: Technical questions due.
November 30, 2026: Application deadline for companies.
December 18, 2026: Selections announced.
January 25 to February 5, 2027: Fly-off held in Huntsville, Alabama.
Roadmap
The requirement builds directly on the battery-electric TRV-150C, which the Navy bought in 2023 and declared operational that October. Increment II shifts the program toward heavy-fuel aircraft to overcome the short range that limits battery-powered drones.
The fly-off determines which autonomous drones may advance toward Marine Corps procurement, affecting how supplies reach remote units. Companies building heavy-lift drones can apply by November 30, 2026, to compete for prototype agreements.
The takeaway
Longer-range autonomous resupply could reduce how often troops must move ground convoys into contested areas. The fly-off results will show whether heavy-fuel drones can meet requirements that battery aircraft cannot.
What happens next
Technical questions are due November 13, 2026, applications close November 30, 2026, selections are announced December 18, 2026, and the fly-off runs January 25 to February 5, 2027, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Further reading
Explore more on Robotics to see how autonomous aircraft are being developed for military logistics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SOFX.
Live Poll
Do you think the U.S. should spend more on its military?
