Army Plans to Retire Gray Eagle Drones | JQJO

The US Army may retire its MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones as part of a force-structure overhaul. A joint memo from the Army Chief of Staff and Secretary calls for canceling procurement of "obsolete UAVs" like the Gray Eagle. This decision contrasts with the manufacturer, General Atomics, who emphasizes the drone's continued relevance, highlighting the modernized Gray Eagle 25M's enhanced capabilities and recent successful participation in Project Convergence. While the Army seeks leaner, more lethal forces, General Atomics argues that the Gray Eagle remains crucial for reconnaissance and attack missions, particularly in peer conflicts, and that its newer versions significantly improve upon the older models.