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Platform Aerospace Showcases World-Record Holding Vanilla UAS to Secretary of Defense at Pentagon Innovation Event

  • Writer: Platform Aerospace
    Platform Aerospace
  • Jul 16
  • 2 min read

Updated: Dec 4

HOLLYWOOD, MD – On July 16, Platform Aerospace displayed Vanilla, its Ultra-Long Endurance Group 3 UAS, in the Pentagon courtyard. The event was hosted by Alex Lovett, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Mission Capabilities, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) to showcase American innovation. Vanilla was selected as one of 18 of the most promising unmanned systems being developed through the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) or exiting the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) Program.



During the event, the Platform Aerospace team shared Vanilla’s world record flight—more than 8 days unrefuelled—with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Like most people introduced to the platform, the Secretary appeared shocked at the idea of an unmanned vehicle remaining airborne for such a long duration.


Delivering for the Warfighter With Vanilla, the warfighter gains access to a distinct set of capabilities:


  • True Ultra-Long Endurance: >8-days with minimal payload or ~4-days at full capacity.

  • Payload Capacity: 150lbs max capacity. The platform supports communications relay, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Air Launched Effects (ALE) configurations. It can host multiple capabilities in a single flight and has demonstrated operational capability in desert, tropical, and arctic environments.

  • Economical: The system operates well below the U.S. Air Force’s definition of attritable. Vanilla can stay on mission 24/7 for a fraction of the cost many governments currently spend for intermittent coverage.


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Platform Aerospace anticipates breaking its current world record with a flight of greater than 10 days in the near future. The company appreciates its partnerships and the support of OUSD(R&E) as Vanilla proves itself a critical asset for warfighters.

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