US Air Force sends ULTRA Turbo drone with multi-day endurance to Middle East

The U.S. Air Force plans to deploy the upgraded ULTRA Turbo drone to the Middle East for operational testing starting in fiscal 2026.

The aircraft keeps ULTRA’s long-endurance design but adds a turbocharged engine for better speed, altitude, and weather performance.

The drone is intended for surveillance, electronic warfare, and communications relay missions amid strong regional ISR demand.

The test could help validate a lower-cost platform that provides days of persistent coverage between strategic aircraft and shorter-range tactical drones.