Army.mil, June 26, 2020 – The Army is scheduled to take delivery of the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System – Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar prototype on June 30 at the Sierra Nevada Corporation Hagerstown, Maryland facility.
The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone, on behalf of the Fixed Wing Project Office, awarded a contract to SNC for the modification of one EMARSS-V aircraft as a deliverable prototype in Sept. 2019. During the $5 million, seven-month integration effort, a number of systems were integrated to enhance performance, increase safety and improve the aircraft’s ability to operate in a near-peer environment.
"The EMARSS-V prototype, with its modifications, is a lighter, more powerful aircraft. It increases the Army's capabilities to use fixed wing intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance platforms in more diverse environments", said Col. James DeBoer, Fixed Wing Project Manager. "The modified EMARSS-V aircraft has more powerful engines which allow for better performance at higher elevations and hotter temperatures during takeoff. It also has the ability to operate out of a wider range of airfields because it uses less runway for takeoff. A larger fuel capacity allows this aircraft to stay airborne longer for its ISR missions. With these improvements, the EMARSS-V prototype will allow Army aviation to more effectively support Joint All-Domain Operations/Multi-Domain Operations."