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Astra Systems has completed a demonstration of its Arbiter 1A first-person view drone for the U.S. Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.
Conducted in collaboration with multiple elements of the 25th Infantry Division’s Infantry Brigade Combat Team, including the UAS and IEW CEMA Platoon and the Division’s Lightning Lab MDE, the live demonstration showcased the Arbiter 1A’s dynamic capabilities in real-world scenarios. The drone executed a series of operational flights that demonstrated its responsiveness, agility, and integrated mission functionality, highlighting its readiness for front-line deployment.
The Arbiter 1A is engineered with a lightweight carbon fiber frame and designed to support both ISR and precision engagement missions in contested spaces. With a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour and an endurance of up to 20 minutes, the drone is capable of supporting both day and night operations using EO and IR payloads. At under 10 kilograms takeoff weight and with the ability to carry a payload of up to 1.5 kilograms, the Arbiter 1A is suited for rapid deployment in fast-changing tactical environments where real-time situational awareness and responsiveness are critical.
Astra Systems is a joint venture between Adelanto Group Inc., a Native Hawaiian Tribal-owned 8(a) certified enterprise, and Trident Aerospace, a UAS developer with over 20 years of experience in defense platforms and a broad operational footprint across Latin America and Europe. The partnership was formed to advance the deployment of ISR platforms, loitering munitions, and autonomous systems that meet U.S. military requirements through domestic manufacturing, mature system architectures, and rigorous compliance standards.
Todd Van Dahlen, CEO of Astra Systems, said, “The success of this demo demonstrates not just the Arbiter’s advanced capabilities in field conditions, but also Astra’s growing role as a trusted partner to U.S. defense forces.”
The successful demonstration at Schofield Barracks is said to underscore Astra Systems’ growing role in equipping U.S. forces with adaptive, intelligent, and resilient unmanned capabilities.
