Marine Corps Autonomous Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle Contract Awarded to Near Earth Autonomy

Why It Matters

The contract accelerates autonomous logistics capability, offering the Marine Corps faster, safer supply delivery while reducing manpower and operational costs.

Key Takeaways

• Marine Corps contracts Near Earth Autonomy for autonomous resupply aircraft.
• Prototype based on Bell 505 helicopter using RUC‑60 technology.
• First flight completed without pilot input over 50‑mile mission.
• Program aims to reduce manpower and increase logistical agility.
• Contract signals growing military investment in unmanned aerial logistics.

Summary

On April 28, Naval Air Systems Command awarded Near Earth Autonomy a contract to develop a prototype autonomous logistics aircraft for the Marine Corps, leveraging the Bell 505 platform and technology from the RUC‑60 optionally piloted Black Hawk program.

The vehicle will be an unmanned variant capable of delivering supplies to forward units, with the contract covering design, integration, and flight testing. Near Earth Autonomy demonstrated a 50‑mile round‑trip flight without any pilot control, marking a key milestone toward operational use.

In the test video, the operator notes, “We have not touched controls,” underscoring the system’s autonomous flight envelope. The prototype builds on proven rotorcraft components, reducing development risk and accelerating fielding timelines.

The initiative reflects the Marine Corps’ push for rapid, low‑footprint resupply, potentially cutting personnel costs and enhancing expeditionary logistics. Success could spur broader adoption of unmanned aerial logistics across U.S. services and allied forces.

Original Description

Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Near Earth Autonomy (Near Earth) the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle - Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) Increment 2 program, to prototype autonomous logistics aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Near Earth will lead the program in collaboration with Bell Textron, Moog Inc., and XP Services. The team's Uncrewed 505 aerial logistics aircraft combines Near Earth's Captain autonomy with the Bell 505 and Moog’s Genesys avionics in a system ready for tactical-edge resupply in contested environments.

The program addresses a growing logistics challenge for the Marine Corps. As forces disperse under Distributed Maritime Operations and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concepts, sustainment demands increase, while exposing onboard helicopter crews to increased risk.

The MARV-EL program will develop a risk-worthy, cargo-moving asset that can sustain forces at the tactical edge, where crewed aircraft may be too vulnerable or constrained by force-availability limits and crew-rest cycles during high-tempo 24/7 ops.

The awarded contract will deliver an aerial logistics capability that meets MARV-EL threshold requirements for a 1,300-pound payload, at a 100-nautical-mile combat radius.

Over the next 36 months, Near Earth will integrate and flight test the autonomous flight system, progressing from early demonstrations to full mission capability while helping inform future Marine Corps operational procedures for autonomous aerial logistics.

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