The Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office (PMA-263) announced a major milestone: its contracted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services UAS program has exceeded one million total flight hours. This achievement was logged during a routine mission conducted by Sailors in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
Since its inception in 2005, the ISR Services program has become a cornerstone of naval ISR capability. PMA-263 has overseen the installation of these unmanned systems on more than 50 Navy and Military Sealift Command vessels and has operated from over 50 land-based sites across the globe. The program provides persistent, day-and-night surveillance support to ships across the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets, as well as to land-based commands, directly aiding joint and coalition force operations.
“Every hour flown represents more than mission success – it reflects the resilience of our people, the trust of our partners and the impact we’ve had on history,” said Gregg Skinner, PMA-263 program manager. “Together, we’ve supported operations in every corner of the globe, advanced unmanned systems into the fight, and stood ready in times of uncertainty.”
The program currently equips more than a dozen naval vessels with the ability to launch and recover UAS at sea. Its operations utilize the Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle and the Textron MQ-19 Aerosonde, versatile aircraft that provide critical, real-time surveillance. These systems are optimized to stream full-motion video and sensor data directly to decision-makers, both afloat and ashore. The intelligence they gather is vital for everything from immediate tactical actions to long-term strategic planning, significantly enhancing maritime domain awareness and operational readiness.
Beyond this flagship program, PMA-263 manages a broader portfolio of small unmanned systems for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and international partners. The office also leads training and standardization efforts for all branches of the U.S. military, ensuring warfighters are prepared to integrate unmanned capabilities effectively into complex operational environments. This million-hour milestone underscores the enduring value and proven reliability of unmanned systems in modern naval warfare.
