Arizona Will Receive Gray Eagle Drone Unit in 2027
The Arizona Army National Guard will add eight advanced Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aircraft systems to its fleet by September 2027.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Military
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The Arizona Army National Guard will establish a new unmanned aircraft unit equipped with eight Gray Eagle 25M systems in September 2027. This move is part of a broader plan to field eight divisional unmanned aircraft companies across the Army National Guard.
Why it matters
The deployment is designed to provide National Guard divisions with organic capabilities for mission planning, targeting, and communication support. These systems enhance readiness for both domestic and global missions.
The Gray Eagle 25M features a flight endurance of nearly 40 hours and uses an open architecture system to integrate sensor, network, and kinetic effects. The platform also offers automatic takeoff and landing capabilities.
The players
Arizona Army National Guard
This is a component of the United States Army National Guard that provides military support for domestic and federal missions within Arizona.
40th Infantry Division
This is a division of the United States Army National Guard that oversees and coordinates the operational units of the Arizona Army National Guard.
The details
As part of the 40th Infantry Division, the Arizona unit will utilize the aircraft's EagleEye multi-mode radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors. The national effort intends to standardize divisional unmanned aircraft companies across the force.
Timeline
Eight Gray Eagle 25M systems arrive in Arizona in September 2027.
Four additional Gray Eagle 25M units are scheduled for fielding by the end of 2029.
Political Context
Critics of military expansion often argue that investing in expensive autonomous platforms diverts critical funding from localized infrastructure or disaster response needs. Opponents may also raise concerns regarding the militarization of domestic airspace and the potential impact on privacy for state residents.
The establishment of this unit brings increased military training activity and potential technological investment to the state. Residents may observe changes in regional training exercises as the National Guard integrates these 40-hour endurance systems into its operations.
The takeaway
This acquisition significantly upgrades the technological capabilities of Arizona's National Guard units for future defense requirements. Integrating these systems allows the division to maintain advanced tactical awareness during complex missions.
What happens next
The Arizona Army National Guard will receive the first eight units in September 2027, followed by an additional four units scheduled to be fielded by the end of 2029.
Further reading
For more information on defense infrastructure projects, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by sUAS News - The Business of Drones.
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