# U.S. Army Advances Short Range Reconnaissance

In September 2026, the U.S. Army selected five vendors, including Vantage Robotics, to advance in the Short Range Reconnaissance program to a Manufacturing Readiness Assessment after competitive flight demonstrations. The selection points to continued demand for short-range unmanned aircraft and creates a potential path toward further evaluation and production. Separate industry signals include SES AI’s plan to make NDAA-compliant battery cells available from Q4 2026 and the Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2026 event in London on December 2–3.

- Companies pursuing Army small-drone work should assess their readiness for follow-on evaluation and production milestones in the Short Range Reconnaissance program; the signal does not identify contract values or a final production award.
- Battery suppliers and integrators can assess whether SES AI’s planned Q4 2026 NDAA-compliant cell availability fits their product and sourcing plans; this is a stated product availability plan, not a government award or blanket compliance mandate.
- The London event is scheduled for December 2–3, 2026. Organizations focused on uncrewed and autonomous systems can use the event as an industry engagement opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Capability Program Executive Aviation, Project Manager for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

### Vendors
- Vantage Robotics (Selected for the U.S. Army Short Range Reconnaissance program Manufacturing Readiness Assessment phase)
- SES AI (Plans to make NDAA-compliant battery cells available from Q4 2026)
- UAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía ()
- DeltaQuad ()

### Sources
- [Drone Batteries, Military Autonomy & Resilient Navigation: Top UST Reads in September | UST](https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2026/10/drone-batteries-military-autonomy-resilient-navigation-top-ust-reads-in-september) - Unmanned Systems Technology