Philippines Armed Forces Deploys Gray Eagle Surveillance Drones For Terror Fight

The United States has deployed the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Mindanao, southern Philippines, for additional surveillance in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterterrorism efforts.

Compared to current surveillance platforms used in the region, the Gray Eagle has a longer flight duration which will enable a larger area of reconnaissance and surveillance, the US Embassy Manila said in a press release.

Gray Eagle, manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS. It can endure 25 hours of operations and has a service ceiling of 29,000 feet.

Over the past three years, the U.S. has provided the Philippines with assistance valued at over Php15 billion, to establish better command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for the AFP.

Recent deliveries include a Raven tactical UAS and two Cessna-208B surveillance aircraft, as well as various munitions and weapons to support urgent defense and counterterrorism needs.

The strong, long-standing military relationship with the Philippines enables the U.S. to respond quickly to the AFP’s needs and to support the AFP’s modernization goals.