Flyer 72-HD Debuts with Anti-Drone Tech at AUSA 2025

Defense Feeds – Flyer 72-HD debuts with anti-drone capabilities as Flyer Defense reveals a significant upgrade to its lightweight ground mobility vehicle at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.

This latest configuration integrates advanced electronic warfare systems with precision kinetic firepower, providing U.S. Special Operations Forces with enhanced tools to locate, track, disrupt, and neutralize hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) quickly and effectively.

Designed to retain its hallmark agility and rapid deployability, the Flyer 72-HD remains highly maneuverable in diverse and contested combat zones while delivering counter-drone defense in real time.

This versatile system represents a major evolution in battlefield mobility vehicles, combining tactical speed, modular design, and next-generation capability to address emerging drone threats across reconnaissance, surveillance, and armed strike roles.

Flyer 72-HD Showcases New Counter-Drone Upgrade at AUSA

Built specifically to meet the demanding needs of U.S. Special Operations Forces, the Flyer 72-HD is well-regarded for its exceptional speed, modular design, and ease of transport.

This upgraded model incorporates advanced counter-drone technology, increasing its battlefield effectiveness against aerial threats.

The vehicle’s narrow 72-inch width allows it to be quickly airlifted by CH-47 Chinook helicopters, CH-53 Sea Stallions, and C-130 Hercules tactical transports, a critical factor for rapid deployment in austere and contested environments.

Once on the ground, the Flyer 72-HD can be armed and ready for combat in less than a minute, enabling special operations teams to react swiftly to evolving threats.

This capability aligns with the requirements of USSOCOM’s Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 (GMV 1.1) program, which seeks versatile, lightweight, and high-performance vehicles capable of operating behind enemy lines with minimal support.

The GMV 1.1 emphasizes mobility over complex terrain, sustainment for extended missions, and adaptability through modular mission kits.

The Flyer 72-HD, as the program’s official vehicle, meets these criteria with its open architecture design, payload capacity exceeding 5,700 pounds, and systems integration for communications and situational awareness.

Its configuration can vary to support crews ranging from three to nine personnel, making it adaptable to a wide range of mission profiles from reconnaissance to direct action.

SAMSON Turret and EW Systems for Drone Threats

The C-UAS upgrade shown at AUSA featured the SAMSON Dual Remote Weapon Station (RWS) from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. 

This adaptable system accommodates a variety of weapons, ranging from cannons to anti-tank guided missiles, offering soldiers versatile options for engaging targets.

Pairing SAMSON with integrated electronic warfare modules empowers operators to carry out both soft-kill jamming attacks and hard-kill precision strikes against drones.

Enhanced situational awareness is delivered through the EW package, enabling operators to detect UAV activity beyond immediate visual range. 

The platform’s adaptability allows installation of various sensors, communications systems, and mission kits without reducing performance or mobility. 

Payload capacity stands at 5,700 pounds, with configurations for up to nine crew members.

Expanding the Role of Ground Mobility Vehicles

Military analysts note that counter-drone integration within vehicles like the Flyer 72-HD mirrors a larger trend in mobile warfare. 

Ground mobility platforms are evolving into multi-role battlefield assets, able to safeguard themselves and allied units from aerial threats while on the move.

This shift highlights the rising danger drones represent, ranging from gathering intelligence to executing deadly attacks.

The Flyer 72-HD’s anti-UAV capabilities provide a robust defensive layer, addressing the need for adaptable solutions in modern warfare.

Flyer Defense’s advancements also position the vehicle for global interest, with allied nations looking for deployable platforms equipped with advanced counter-drone systems. 

At AUSA 2025, the unveiling signaled not just a technological upgrade but a strategic shift toward making mobile counter-drone warfare an operational standard on future battlefields.