The U.S. Army National Guard has begun a new procurement process in Tennessee to purchase small drones for military training.
According to an official document released on March 7, 2026, the plan includes the purchase of lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles that meet the safety requirements of the Blue UAS program used by the U.S. military.
The equipment is used by the 117th Regiment at the Regional Training Institute in Smyrna, where National Guard soldiers are trained in the latest combat techniques. Small drones have become a common tool in military training, allowing them to simulate aerial operations, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering without relying on larger, more expensive platforms.
The requested model includes: Neros Archerfixed-wing drone for long-term aerial reconnaissance FlightWave Edge 130FPV platform for short-range operations and training scenarios ModalAI Stinger Vision FPV 3.5is included.
The request calls for delivery of two systems of each type and is limited to small aircraft manufacturers. Additionally, all drones must be approved by the Blue UAS program, which certifies them as safe for military use from a cybersecurity and supply chain perspective.
source: Defence Blog | Photo: This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team
🇺🇸 BREAKING: The U.S. National Guard has launched a procurement program for small FPV kamikaze drones.
The drones will be used for training and operational support at the 117th Regional Training Institute in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Three different drone systems are planned:
◽Neros… pic.twitter.com/qAj4hRm5wN— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) March 9, 2026
