Unmanned Aerial Systems Advancing Mission Capability: SOE Support for Drone Deployment
Enabling Faster, Smarter Drone Procurement with DLA Troop Support's SOE Program
In today’s contested operational environments, speed, flexibility, and dominance from above are non-negotiable. As threats evolve, so must our ability to respond with precision, awareness, and cutting-edge technology.
The Department of Defense’s June 2025 memo, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” marks a critical shift in military drone acquisition. Group 1 and 2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are now treated as “consumable commodities,” granting O-6 commanders operational procurement authority. This change removes red tape, allowing frontline forces to deploy drones at the pace of mission need.
To support this vision, DLA Troop Support’s Special Operational Equipment (SOE) program gives units rapid access to next-generation UAS platforms via commercial item acquisition and streamlined logistics. And at the center of this transformation are two industry trailblazers: Red Cat and Soaring, working in close collaboration with SupplyCore.
Mission-Ready in Days, Not Months
The SOE program equips the Warfighter with what matters most, speed and certainty. With SupplyCore serving as a Prime Vendor, Red Cat and Soaring’s UAS platforms are available through ready-made contracts, shortening evaluation timelines from months to days.
This model empowers defense customers to:
- Order by manufacturer name and part number
- Bypass slow evaluation cycles
- Deploy field-tested, mission-aligned platforms
- Stay ahead of evolving threats through rapid tech refresh
- Eliminate obsolescence risk
Since 2024, over $100 million has supported Army UAV/UAS procurement through SOE, including Red Cat’s Teal 2, a cornerstone of tactical drone strategy.
Meet the UAS Platforms Empowering the Modern Warfighter
Through the alliance between SupplyCore, Red Cat, and Soaring, military teams now have immediate access to cutting-edge UAS platforms engineered to support today’s missions.
Black Widow
Agile, compact, and engineered for tactical dominance, the Black Widow excels in urban terrain and confined environments. Its rapid deploy ability and modular payloads make it a force multiplier in reconnaissance, overwatch, and close-quarter support.
Key Benefit: Situational awareness in tight, high-risk spaces
Teal 2
Made in the USA and purpose-built for the Warfighter, the Teal 2 is equipped for low-light and night operations, with advanced thermal imaging and AI-enhanced target recognition. Already deployed across Army units, it’s changing the way operators see and engage the battlespace.
Key Benefit: Tactical ISR advantage in any lighting condition
FlightWave Edge 130 Blue
With its fixed-wing endurance and NDAA-compliant build, the Edge 130 Blue is ideal for long-range ISR. It provides real-time intelligence with extended flight time and field-resilient components — making it a trusted ISR tool across domains.
Key Benefit: Strategic reach and persistent aerial surveillance
G1 Platform Heavy-Lift Autonomous Drone
Built to move missions forward, the G1 delivers heavy-lift payload capability in a fully autonomous aerial system. Whether supplying frontline units or conducting ISR support, it enables remote resupply, logistics, and overwatch in denied environments.
Key Benefit: Force multiplication through autonomous logistics
Key Benefits of UAS Systems for Military Operations
- Tactical Situational Awareness: Real-time ISR capabilities give units a decisive edge by enhancing visibility, reconnaissance, and threat detection in any environment.
- Rapid, Autonomous Deployment: Lightweight and quick-launch platforms reduce setup time and manpower needs, enabling responsive operations on short notice.
- Night & Adverse Condition Readiness: Advanced thermal and low-light imaging extends mission capability into nighttime, low-visibility, and GPS-denied conditions.
- Mission Flexibility with Modular Payloads: Adaptable configurations support a variety of roles, from surveillance and targeting to logistics and communications, without changing platforms.
- Accelerated Acquisition Through SOE: SupplyCore’s collaboration with Red Cat and Soaring, through the SOE program, ensures mission-critical tech is delivered quickly and compliantly.