At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025 in Washington D.C., Flyer Defense unveiled the latest evolution of its tactical mobility portfolio—the Flyer 72 Heavy Duty (HD). Designed to meet emerging threats from small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), this new configuration positions itself as a nimble and modular solution for mobile counter-drone operations within Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) networks.
Flyer 72 HD: Evolution of a Tactical Mobility Platform
The Flyer family of vehicles has long been associated with light tactical mobility for U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and allied forces. The new Flyer 72 HD builds upon this lineage by offering increased payload capacity and structural enhancements to support heavier mission systems—particularly for counter-UAS roles. While retaining the core DNA of its predecessors—lightweight construction, high off-road mobility, and air transportability—the HD variant introduces a reinforced chassis and upgraded suspension to accommodate heavier weapon stations and sensor suites.
According to company officials at AUSA 2025, the vehicle is designed around a modular architecture that enables rapid reconfiguration for different mission sets. In its debut configuration, the Flyer 72 HD was shown equipped with Leonardo DRS’ Mobile-Low Slow Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS), integrating kinetic and non-kinetic effectors on a single mobile platform.
Counter-UAS Role: From Static to Mobile SHORAD
The proliferation of low-cost drones across peer and near-peer conflicts has accelerated demand for mobile counter-UAS platforms that can keep pace with maneuver units. Traditional fixed-site defenses are increasingly vulnerable or insufficient against swarming drone tactics or rapidly shifting frontlines.
The M-LIDS-equipped Flyer 72 HD aims to fill this gap by combining detection, tracking, electronic warfare (EW), and kinetic kill options on a fast-moving chassis. The system typically integrates:
- EO/IR sensors for visual tracking
- Radar systems such as RPS-42 or similar X-band AESA radars
- Electronic warfare modules capable of GNSS jamming or command-link disruption
- Kinetic effectors like FN Herstal’s deFNder Medium RWS or laser-based interceptors
This level of integration allows the vehicle to detect Class I/II drones at ranges beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS), disrupt their control links or GPS navigation, and if necessary neutralize them via direct fire—all while on the move.
Modular Mission Payloads Enable Multi-Domain Flexibility
A key differentiator of the Flyer 72 HD is its open mission architecture. Beyond counter-UAS roles, it can be outfitted with ISR payloads, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), command-and-control kits with SATCOM/Link-16 integration, or even loitering munition launchers.
This plug-and-play approach aligns with U.S. Army modernization priorities under programs like Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) and Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), which emphasize modularity and rapid adaptation to threat evolution. The vehicle’s open electrical architecture also facilitates future upgrades such as AI-enabled target recognition or mesh-networked EW capabilities.
Mobility Profile Supports Forward-Deployed Air Defense
The base platform retains key mobility features critical for expeditionary operations:
- 4×4 independent suspension with high ground clearance suitable for off-road terrain
- Cargo/payload capacity exceeding previous variants (~3,600+ kg)
- Transportability via CH-47 Chinook internal load or external sling load under UH-60 Black Hawk
- Crew protection options including armored cabs or appliqué armor kits against small arms fire
This makes it well-suited not only for conventional maneuver formations but also special operations units operating in austere environments where fixed infrastructure is unavailable. Its ability to deploy rapidly alongside forward elements provides critical short-range air defense coverage during early-entry operations.
Industry Context: Growing Demand for Mobile C-UAS Platforms
The unveiling comes amid growing demand across NATO nations for mobile SHORAD/C-UAS solutions that can operate independently from large logistics footprints. Similar efforts include Rheinmetall’s Skyranger on Boxer chassis, Anduril’s Roadrunner autonomous interceptor drone launcher on JLTVs, and Oshkosh’s Stryker-based DE M-SHORAD laser systems.
The U.S. Army has fielded several interim solutions under its Incremental Counter-Small UAS Strategy but continues to evaluate more agile platforms under programs like IFPC Inc 2-I and M-LIDS Phase II. The addition of a lightweight yet heavily armed C-UAS vehicle like the Flyer 72 HD could complement heavier systems like Stryker DE-MSHORAD by extending coverage into terrain-inaccessible areas or supporting dismounted formations.
Outlook: From Prototype to Program?
No formal procurement contract has been announced yet for this specific configuration; however, industry observers note that SOCOM’s past adoption of earlier Flyers may pave the way toward broader service interest—especially if testing validates performance claims in contested electromagnetic environments.
If adopted in quantity by U.S. forces—or foreign partners seeking expeditionary SHORAD—the Flyer 72 HD could represent a shift toward more distributed air defense architectures where mobility equals survivability against drone saturation attacks.
