The U.S. Department of Defense has taken a notable step forward in its tactical surveillance strategy by contracting North American drone manufacturer Draganfly to deliver its Commander 3XL multirotor UAVs. This partnership reflects not only a technological shift but also a growing reliance on lightweight, adaptable drones for battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the global military landscape has seen a rapid proliferation of small and medium drones. From Europe to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, both conventional forces and irregular actors have embraced low-cost, easily deployable UAVs capable of disrupting logistics, adjusting artillery, and collecting real-time intelligence. The tactical drone has now evolved from being a force multiplier to a fundamental component of modern military doctrine.
Countries like Türkiye, Iran, Israel, China, India, and Poland have developed robust domestic drone industries, focusing on modular and export-ready systems. These platforms are valued not just for endurance or firepower, but for their seamless integration into multi-domain operations and ability to deliver data rapidly across secure networks.
In this context, the U.S. military’s selection of the Commander 3XL is strategic. Fully developed and manufactured in North America, the drone meets Blue UAS standards, complies with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and avoids the use of foreign—particularly Chinese—components. This supports Washington’s push to reinforce domestic defense production while ensuring cybersecurity and interoperability within allied forces.
Weighing 13.2 kg empty and capable of lifting up to 10 kg of payload, the Commander 3XL has a flight endurance of 50–55 minutes and a range of 38 km. It cruises at 72 km/h and is equipped with foldable arms, retractable landing gear, modular battery systems, and support for advanced payloads like EO/IR sensors, LiDAR, and winch-based logistics kits. The system supports encrypted radio modules including Herelink Blue and Doodle Labs Helix, ensuring secure communication in complex environments.
Rather than replacing larger HALE or MALE drones, the Commander 3XL is designed to complement them by filling operational gaps on the tactical edge. It can provide infantry support, conduct forward reconnaissance, deliver supplies, and serve as a real-time mobile sensor in contested zones.
Its deployment signals the Pentagon’s shift toward more connected, responsive, and distributed warfare models—where micro-drones act as frontline sensors, linking ground units to centralized command structures. In a world increasingly shaped by drone-centric conflicts, the Commander 3XL embodies the future of tactical ISR.
