MOORPARK, Calif. - Quantum Systems Inc. in Moorpark, Calif., has secured a $15.3 million contract under the U.S. Army’s Company-Level small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) Directed Requirement 2 initiative to provide its Vector AI platform for Brigade Combat Teams.
The Vector AI system was selected following a competitive evaluation that examined aircraft performance, payload integration, and interoperability with emerging Army software architectures. The effort reflects the Army’s emphasis on deploying operationally proven, adaptable systems that can evolve alongside future requirements while delivering immediate capability at the tactical edge.
The award supports the Army’s broader modernization strategy to rapidly field commercially available uncrewed systems and to inform the development of the future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program, which is expected to define the next generation of tactical uncrewed aircraft systems for maneuver units.
eVTOL system background
Vector AI is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) small UAS that combines runway-independent launch and recovery with the endurance and efficiency of fixed-wing flight. Designed for rapid deployment, the system can be operated by a single soldier in less than 5 minutes and supports reconnaissance, surveillance, and target-acquisition missions through artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled mission planning, advanced electro-optical sensing, and vision-based targeting. The platform provides real-time, high-resolution downlink imagery to operators conducting mid-range reconnaissance missions.
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The system is designed for contested electromagnetic environments, incorporating anti-jamming capabilities and a multi-layered navigation stack for GPS-denied operations. These include visual inertial odometry, simultaneous localization and mapping, and controlled reception pattern antenna technology to support navigation and precision targeting in GPS-denied environments. Dual-band connectivity and AI- and machine learning-driven autonomous flight further support operations in degraded or denied conditions.
Vector AI’s onboard processing architecture includes dual NVIDIA Jetson Orin system-on-modules, enabling real-time processing of gimbal and fixed camera data for onboard object detection, classification, and tracking. This reduces reliance on external data links and accelerates decision-making at the tactical edge.
Open systems architecture
The platform features a modular, open systems architecture that supports rapid payload integration and interoperability with external systems such as the Android Tactical Assault Kit, Cursor on Target, and other battlefield management networks. Its modularity extends to antennas, radios, engines, sensors, and payloads, enabling rapid field repair, upgrades, and reconfiguration with minimal downtime.
Vector AI is part of a configurable 2-in-1 system that uses a common fuselage, ground control station, data link, and avionics, allowing it to be reconfigured as either a fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft or a multicopter without changes to the user interface or workflow.
Key performance specifications include a maximum takeoff weight of 21 pounds, a command-and-control range exceeding 60 kilometers, endurance of more than 180 minutes, and a wingspan of 9.2 feet. Enhancements based on operational use include extended battery life, reinforced structural components, advanced anti-jam GPS antennas for electronic warfare resilience, and a modular sensor suite for mission flexibility.
The system is currently fielded with the Raptor gimbaled sensor, which features 360-degree continuous pan and a built-in laser pointer, and can be attached via a tool-free quick-lock mechanism. Additional features such as a multicopter tether kit extend endurance and operational flexibility.
