Key Points
- The U.S. Army deployed the C100 unmanned aircraft system during the JPMRC 26-01 exercise in Hawaii to support reconnaissance operations.
- The exercise involved forces from the U.S., France, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, along with New Zealand observers.
The U.S. Army has deployed its C100 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) 26-01 in Hawaii, highlighting efforts to integrate next-generation reconnaissance drones into complex multinational training operations across jungle and archipelagic terrain.
The C100, assigned to the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, was launched on November 15, 2025, at the Kahuku Training Area. According to U.S. Army officials, the drone was used to provide reconnaissance support in a simulated large-scale combat environment involving joint and allied forces.
JPMRC 26-01 brings together units from the United States, France, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, along with New Zealand Staff Observers, to rehearse tactics, techniques, and procedures suited to combat in the Indo-Pacific’s jungle and island environments.
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“The exercise underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to ensuring regional security and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility,” said the service in a release.
PDW, the manufacturer of the C100 drone, describes it as a man-packable, heavy-lift quadcopter that can be configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), cross-domain fires, electronic warfare, kinetic effects, or extended communications support.
“The C100 is engineered to operate with a low acoustic and visual signature, reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour, and sustain flight for more than 74 minutes while carrying an ISR payload,” the company says.
The drone folds to 24 inches by 15 inches by 8 inches for transport and unfolds to a 64 by 65 by 11-inch configuration for flight. It weighs just over 21 pounds and can be equipped with either a long-endurance or short-endurance battery, offering 74+ or 60+ minutes of flight time, respectively, with payload.
The inclusion of the C100 drone in the reconnaissance element allows U.S. forces to conduct silent overwatch, extend communications networks, and simulate target identification and engagement without exposing troops.
While conventional ISR drones are typically operated from airfields or ground control stations outside the immediate tactical area, the C100’s portable design enables forward-deployed infantry units to launch and recover the system without external support, reducing response times and enhancing operational tempo.
