The U.S. Air Force deploys Dzyne ULTRA unmanned air system in the Middle East, using the Stemme S12 variant for cost-effective surveillance. They have plans to acquire four more ULTRA aircraft, each around $8 million, that align with recent inspections to assess its operational readiness in Central Command operational area.
By Shreya M
The Middle East is now home to the Dzyne Unmanned Long-Endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA), according to confirmation from the U.S. Air Force.
In a $30 million demonstration of a inexpensive ultra-long endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, the unmanned Stemme S12 motor glider variant is put into service.
In order to purchase and maintain at least four additional ULTRA aircrafts—which can fly for up to eighty hours—the Air Force has asked for more than $100 million in the fiscal year 2025. A turbocharger for high-altitude flying is one of the modifications from the commercial aeroplane. U.S. budget papers estimate that the cost of each ULTRA aircraft is $8 million. On May 7, images showing the ULTRA at a unidentified site within the Central Command operations area were made public by the Air Force. Parts of Central Asia, Egypt, and the Middle East are under Central Command. On April 29, the deployed ULTRA base was also inspected by Lt. Gen. Derek France, the commander of the Ninth Air Force. Air force disclosed in a release that the Commander visited the unit "to get a better understanding of its current operational capabilities."
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