EagleNXT Wins DLA Contract for eBee TAC Tactical ISR Drone Fleet

EagleNXT has been awarded a contract by the United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to supply its eBee TAC fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The deal marks a significant milestone for the company’s defense-focused drone line and reflects growing demand for lightweight Group 1 ISR assets that meet stringent U.S. military cybersecurity and interoperability standards.

eBee TAC: A Blue UAS-Listed Tactical Mapping Drone

The eBee TAC is a hand-launched fixed-wing drone developed by senseFly—a Swiss-based company acquired by AgEagle Aerial Systems in 2021 and now operating under the EagleNXT brand. Designed for frontline intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as tactical mapping in denied or austere environments, the eBee TAC is part of the Pentagon’s Blue sUAS 2.0 list—meaning it has passed rigorous vetting for cybersecurity compliance and NDAA Section 848 requirements.

Weighing under 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) with wingspan of approximately 110 cm (43 in), the eBee TAC fits within Group 1 UAS classification (<9 kg). Its modular payload bay supports multiple sensor configurations:

S.O.D.A. 3D: High-resolution photogrammetry camera capable of generating precise orthomosaics and digital elevation models.
Dual RGB/thermal sensors: For day/night ISR roles including target detection and infrastructure monitoring.

The system boasts up to 90 minutes of flight time depending on payload and wind conditions, with an operational range exceeding 12 km using proprietary long-range radio links. It is designed for single-operator deployment in under three minutes without tools or launch equipment.

Defense Logistics Agency Procurement: Strategic Context

The DLA’s procurement of the eBee TAC aligns with broader Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to field secure small drones across various services while reducing reliance on Chinese-origin components—a policy codified by Executive Order 13981 and reinforced by FY21 NDAA restrictions.

The exact value and quantity of units ordered under this contract have not been disclosed publicly. However, sources familiar with similar DLA contracts suggest initial orders typically range from dozens to low hundreds of units depending on service branch end-users—likely including Army National Guard engineering units or Special Operations Forces requiring lightweight ISR/mapping capability during expeditionary operations.

EagleNXT CEO Brandon Torres Declet stated that this award “validates our commitment to delivering secure American-made drone solutions tailored to military needs.” The company emphasized rapid delivery timelines enabled by domestic manufacturing capacity based in Wichita, Kansas.

Tactical Applications Across Mission Sets

The eBee TAC’s primary advantage lies in its portability-to-capability ratio. Unlike quadcopters limited by endurance or noise signature, this fixed-wing platform offers extended flight time ideal for wide-area mapping or route reconnaissance without compromising stealth or mobility.

Potential mission profiles include:

Combat Engineering Support: Pre-mission terrain modeling for bridge emplacement or obstacle breaching using photogrammetric data from S.O.D.A. payloads.
Forward Reconnaissance: Silent overflight of enemy positions using EO/IR sensors to detect personnel or vehicles at standoff distances.
Disaster Response & CBRN Monitoring: Rapid area assessment following natural disasters or chemical incidents thanks to modular sensor integration options.

The system’s autonomy features—including automated flight planning via eMotion software suite—allow operators with minimal training to execute complex missions while maintaining situational awareness through live telemetry feeds compatible with ATAK (Android Tactical Assault Kit).

Blue sUAS Compliance & Cybersecurity Assurance

A critical factor behind the DoD’s selection of the eBee TAC is its inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue sUAS list—a designation reserved for non-Chinese drones that meet strict cybersecurity benchmarks including secure data links, encrypted storage, NDAA Section 848 compliance (no PRC-origin electronics), and vetted supply chains.

This status allows federal agencies—including DoD components—to procure the system without lengthy waivers or exceptions previously required under earlier drone acquisition rules targeting DJI-manufactured systems. It also ensures compatibility with emerging Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) architectures requiring trusted data inputs from edge devices like small UAS platforms.

Ecosystem Integration & Future Upgrades

EagleNXT has signaled intent to expand its product line beyond eBee variants toward more mission-specific drones leveraging modular avionics developed during Blue sUAS certification processes. The company also aims to integrate mesh networking capabilities enabling swarm coordination among multiple Group 1/Group 2 systems—a feature increasingly sought after in contested airspace scenarios where GNSS jamming is prevalent.

Additionally, future iterations may incorporate AI-powered onboard processing modules capable of real-time object detection/classification at the edge—reducing latency between sensor acquisition and operator decision-making loops during dynamic engagements.

Conclusion: Lightweight ISR Assets Gain Strategic Traction

The DLA’s acquisition of EagleNXT’s eBee TAC represents more than just another small drone order—it reflects a shift toward distributed ISR capabilities deployable at squad/platoon level without sacrificing data integrity or operational security. As peer adversaries invest heavily in counter-UAV measures and electronic warfare tools targeting larger platforms, these nimble systems offer resilient alternatives suited for decentralized operations across multi-domain battlefields.