Pennsylvania Guard Shapes Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Capabilities

Why It Matters

The demonstration validates the Guard’s ability to accelerate Army UAS innovation, while the new training pipelines ensure a ready cadre of drone‑savvy warfighters, directly supporting the service’s modernization goals.

Key Takeaways

• Guard's UAS team showcased lethal drone capabilities to Army leadership
• Ongoing partnership with DEVCOM yields real‑world testing feedback
• Pennsylvania aims to host regional UAS training and FPV course
• Collaboration includes public‑private CATYLYST initiative for modernization
• Demonstration reinforces Guard's role in Army's drone dominance strategy

Pulse Analysis

The Pennsylvania National Guard is emerging as a pivotal player in the Army’s unmanned aircraft push, leveraging its UAS Training and Innovation Facility to bridge the gap between prototype development and field deployment. By delivering a live lethality demonstration for senior acquisition officials, Guard personnel highlighted not only the performance of next‑generation drones but also the practical insights that reserve forces can provide to the Army’s research labs. This hands‑on validation accelerates the feedback loop that traditionally slows defense acquisition cycles.

Central to this momentum is the Guard’s sustained collaboration with the Army Futures Command’s DEVCOM. Since the previous summer, Guard crews have been embedding themselves within DEVCOM test ranges, operating experimental platforms, and supplying actionable data on payload integration, flight endurance, and mission‑specific modifications. Such real‑world testing informs design refinements before full‑scale production, reducing risk and cost while ensuring the systems meet the evolving demands of modern battlefields. The partnership exemplifies a model where reserve components act as agile testbeds for cutting‑edge technology.

Beyond testing, Pennsylvania is investing in the talent pipeline that will sustain UAS dominance. The state is poised to become a regional hub for the 15X UAS lethality course and is co‑developing the Army’s first standardized first‑person‑view (FPV) drone training curriculum with the Aviation Center of Excellence. Coupled with participation in the public‑private CATYLYST initiative, these training programs aim to standardize operator proficiency across services. By institutionalizing expertise, the Guard not only enhances its own readiness but also contributes to a unified, Army‑wide drone capability that aligns with the broader modernization strategy.

Pennsylvania Guard shapes Army’s unmanned aircraft capabilities

By Brad Rhen · January 30, 2026

Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. — Two Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers supported an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) demonstration for a senior Army official recently at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Reed and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Wehr supported a UAS demonstration for Brent Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology and Army Acquisition Executive, on Jan. 20.

“The UAS lethality demonstration for ASA Ingraham was an overwhelming success,” said Reed, commander of the UAS Training and Innovation Facility at Fort Indiantown Gap. “ASA Ingraham was impressed with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s UAS team and gave high praise for our efforts in helping move the Army UAS program forward and achieve guidance surrounding drone dominance.”

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Reed, left, of the Pennsylvania National Guard Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training and Innovation Facility, takes part in a UAS demonstration for Brent Ingraham, third from left, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology and Army Acquisition Executive, Jan. 20, 2026, at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Todd Mozes)

The Pennsylvania National Guard UAS Team has an ongoing partnership with DEVCOM, supporting the command’s development efforts for UAS systems and payloads, Reed said. Guard Soldiers test DEVCOM systems while providing feedback and recommendations to help refine products for the Army’s UAS transformation efforts.

Ingraham visited DEVCOM to receive updates on emerging UAS technologies and how they are evolving to support the Army warfighter.

Following the demonstration, Ingraham asked Reed about the Pennsylvania National Guard’s relationship with DEVCOM and whether the collaboration was recurring.

“I relayed that we have been working directly with their team since last summer, providing data and feedback on emerging technologies and payloads by putting systems directly in the hands of our warfighters,” Reed said. “We also assist in modifying designs to better fit mission sets we foresee in future operational environments.”

Ingraham also asked about the Pennsylvania National Guard’s UAS efforts beyond its work with DEVCOM.

“I explained that we have tremendous support from our leadership and that UAS innovation is a top priority for our adjutant general,” Reed said. “Our goal is to continue leading the way not only within the National Guard, but across the Army, in terms of innovation and UAS capability.”

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Reed and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Wehr of the Pennsylvania National Guard Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training and Innovation Facility took part in a UAS demonstration for Brent Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology and Army Acquisition Executive, Jan. 20, 2026, at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Todd Mozes)

Reed also told Ingraham that the Pennsylvania National Guard UAS Training and Innovation Facility helped develop the UAS lethality course and that Pennsylvania is postured to serve as a regional training site for the 15X military occupational specialty transition course.

Additionally, Reed said Pennsylvania is working with the Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to develop the Army’s first standardized first‑person‑view drone training course. The effort is intended to strengthen the training pipeline for the UAS lethality course, with the potential for Pennsylvania to also serve as a regional training site.

Prior to Ingraham’s visit, Reed and Wehr met with several organizations involved in UAS operations at Picatinny Arsenal, including the CATYLYST team, a collaborative initiative that brings together public and private sector partners in support of Army modernization.

“The Pennsylvania National Guard UAS Training and Innovation Facility’s relationship with DEVCOM continues to be of great benefit to both organizations,” Reed said. “Our collaborative efforts are helping shape the future of UAS in the Army as we move forward in the modern fight. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership.”