USN uses MQ-20 in autonomous mission planning work

The US Navy, alongside General Atomics, recently completed a demonstration of autonomous mission planning capabilities utilizing the MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aircraft. This initiative occurred during September as part of the annual Gray Flag 2026 exercise, which took place at an undisclosed location. Researchers successfully explored translating missions into actionable plans for autonomous operation by the MQ-20. The work showcased how pre-planned missions can be directly employed by uncrewed aircraft systems. This represents a significant step towards integrating advanced automation within naval operations and strategic planning.