US Air Force eyes compact drones for long-range special ops strikes

The U.S. Air Force is actively pursuing the development of compact, lightweight attack drones specifically designed for special operations forces (SOF). A recent Request for Information (RFI) highlights the need for portable first-person view (FPV) drone systems that can be carried by operators into complex, contested environments. Current capabilities are inadequate, prompting Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) to seek a system weighing under 30 pounds initially—comprising two drones and a control unit—with a long-term goal of a 10-pound setup operable by a single operator. These drones must be rapidly deployable, ideally launched within one to three minutes, to support high-risk missions where speed is critical. The drones are expected to carry a fragmentation warhead between 3.3 and 6.6 pounds, enabling strikes against personnel, light vehicles, and defensive positions at ranges of 6 to over 12 miles, with flight endurance of 15 to 30 minutes. A significant technical challenge is