General Atomics’ new “Eagle Eye” Gray Eagle radar system can track and monitor small launch drones for targeting and destruction. The Gray Eagle 25M drone features an open architecture, more powerful engines, advanced data links and extended range. These drones, called the 25M variant, are already being produced with Eagle Eye installed, according to Mike Shortsleeve, GA’s vice president for strategic development for the Department of Defense. Shortsleeve made this announcement in an interview on October 9, 2023, at the Association of the United States Army conference in Washington. According to Shortsleeve, Eagle Eye’s GA development has accelerated over the past five years. Last May, GA reported that its “Eagle Eye” radar system can detect and track small fixed-wing drones made from balsa wood. These drones were much smaller than what troops would typically face in real combat situations. Images provided to the GA Eagle Eye news update show a “foam” nearly ready-to-flight (ARF) model made of balsa and sturdy molded foam with lightweight fly-reinforced spars and formers. GA plans to deliver twelve “Gray Eagle” 25Ms equipped with “Eagle Eye” to the Army National Guard in the second half of 2026. An additional 6 to 12 units are scheduled to be delivered to the active-duty Army. Photos of RC launch aircraft visible on Gray Eagle radar show a Bruce Tharpe Engineering Super Hauler and a modified powered RC Klingberg Wing (the RC Klingberg Wing built and flown by this reporter). We reveal the lightweight structure seen in our new radar. For more information, visit interestingengineering.com. Watch a video about Gray Eagle here.
