U.S. National Guard to Receive 28 Gray Eagle 25M Drones for Long-Range Precision Fires.

The U.S. National Guard is set to receive 28 General Atomics Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial vehicles for three divisions, with initial fielding planned for 2027, adding a 40-plus-hour armed reconnaissance capability designed to find and track targets for long-range artillery and precision fires. The acquisition will give U.S. National Guard formations a more persistent deep-sensing capability for large-scale combat operations and improve their ability to operate alongside active-duty U.S. Army divisions.

The U.S. National Guard Association of the United States highlighted the program on August 11, 2026, ahead of its 148th General Conference & Exhibition from August 28 to 31. While the initial 12-aircraft procurement originated from fiscal 2023 congressional funding, subsequent appropriations have brought total funding to 28 Gray Eagle 25Ms, enough to equip three U.S. National Guard divisions, with initial fielding expected in 2027.

Related Topic: U.S. Creates Task Force Falcon Strike to Coordinate Multinational Attack Drones Across Middle East

A General Atomics Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial vehicle, the long-endurance armed reconnaissance system selected for the U.S. National Guard to strengthen deep surveillance, target acquisition and support for long-range fires. (Picture source: General Atomics)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems received the order for the first 12 Gray Eagle 25Ms in 2024, reflecting a broader effort to reduce capability gaps between active and reserve formations. The acquisition is particularly relevant to division-level artillery formations, which require persistent aerial sensing and target acquisition to exploit the increasing range of U.S. Army fires. In practical terms, the Gray Eagle 25M can help U.S. National Guard commanders locate artillery positions, command posts, logistics nodes and moving formations, maintain track of those targets and transmit coordinates to artillery or other weapons before the target can relocate.

The aircraft combines electro-optical and infrared sensors with General Atomics' EagleEye multi-mode synthetic aperture radar, allowing reconnaissance in conditions that can degrade conventional optical systems. Synthetic aperture radar and ground moving-target indication can support detection through cloud cover, smoke, dust and poor visibility, giving U.S. National Guard commanders a more persistent picture of the battlespace. This is particularly relevant in high-intensity warfare, where camouflage, concealment, electronic warfare and long-range air defenses make target acquisition increasingly difficult and where shortening the sensor-to-shooter sequence can determine whether long-range fires are effective.

According to General Atomics' 2026 specifications, the Gray Eagle 25M has an endurance exceeding 40 hours, can operate at altitudes up to 25,000 feet and reaches speeds of up to 167 knots. The aircraft has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 4,200 lb, approximately 1,905 kg, and uses an upgraded 200-horsepower Heavy Fuel Engine 2.0. Its payload configuration includes up to 400 lb internally, 500 lb on each wing and another 500 lb on the centerline, while available mission equipment includes electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, ground moving-target indication and communications relay systems. The aircraft can also carry four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, allowing it to combine intelligence collection with armed reconnaissance and precision engagement.

The 25M configuration also introduces an open-system architecture designed to simplify the integration of new sensors, communications equipment, electronic warfare capabilities and artificial intelligence applications. General Atomics has paired this with upgraded datalinks, propulsion and modular ground-control architecture, giving the U.S. National Guard a more adaptable unmanned aerial vehicle as threats and mission requirements evolve. The approach reflects lessons from recent conflicts, where electronic warfare methods, drone employment, and air-defense tactics have changed rapidly and forced military forces to update software, sensors, and communications systems faster than traditional aviation modernization cycles normally allow.

Gray Eagle 25M also introduces a laptop-based Expeditionary Ground Control Station, reducing the footprint required to operate the aircraft and giving crews more flexibility to disperse command elements. Instead of depending exclusively on large fixed control facilities, operators can conduct missions from tents, buildings or mobile shelters, improving mobility and survivability against opponents equipped with long-range precision weapons. The aircraft can also act as a communications relay between dispersed U.S. National Guard formations, supporting command-and-control networks across wider distances and helping connect reconnaissance, maneuver and fires units under degraded communications conditions.

General Atomics has further developed an active electronically scanned array upgrade for the EagleEye radar that the company says could more than double radar range. If integrated on Gray Eagle 25M, this enhancement could allow the unmanned aerial vehicle to detect and track targets from greater distances, improving survivability by reducing the need to operate closer to hostile air-defense systems. Longer sensor range would also strengthen the aircraft's role in supporting deep fires, where the effectiveness of artillery and missile systems depends on sensors that can find targets at comparable distances.

The acquisition also addresses a long-standing difference between U.S. National Guard and active-duty U.S. Army divisions. Active-component formations already operate Gray Eagle aircraft, while Congress, rather than the Army's annual budget requests, has driven procurement for the U.S. National Guard. Lawmakers first funded 12 aircraft through fiscal 2023 appropriations and later added additional systems, bringing the funded inventory to 28. If distributed across three U.S. National Guard divisions as planned, the aircraft will give those formations an organic long-endurance aerial reconnaissance and targeting capability that more closely matches what is available to active-duty counterparts.

For the U.S. National Guard, the significance extends beyond introducing another unmanned aircraft type. Division-level access to persistent reconnaissance, radar sensing and target acquisition means Guard formations deploying into a major conflict could arrive with a more complete sensor architecture instead of depending heavily on externally assigned intelligence assets. The same aircraft can also support homeland missions through persistent observation, communications relay and wide-area situational awareness during disaster response or homeland defense operations.

The main military value, however, lies in expanding the number of U.S. National Guard divisions that can independently find and track targets for long-range fires. As the U.S. Army disperses forces across larger areas and relies more heavily on networked sensors and weapons, Gray Eagle 25M can act as an airborne link between reconnaissance, command elements, and strike systems. That makes the planned 2027 fielding strategically important: the 28 funded aircraft will not simply increase the U.S. National Guard's unmanned inventory, but could strengthen reserve divisions' ability to conduct sustained reconnaissance, targeting, and precision-strike support alongside active U.S. Army formations in a large-scale conflict.

Explore More Defense News

• Land Defense News
• Naval Defense News
• Defense Aerospace News

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.