Target Arm, a business owned by a service-disabled veteran, has introduced its Ralar Modular Mission Payload (MMP) drone system at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) expo.
The Ralar MMP is a robotic arm capable of launching and recovering small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) while the host platform, whether a ground vehicle or aircraft, is in motion.
The technology eliminates the need for stationary launch sites, enabling troops to deploy reconnaissance or strike drones on the move, even under hostile conditions.
New robotic arm
Target Arm demonstrated the Ralar system integrated onto GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle – Utility (ISV-U) during the AUSA exposition, highlighting its relevance for tactical ground forces operating near contested frontlines.
“This marks Ralar’s first public appearance and represents a major step in our collaboration with leading defense innovators,” the company said in a statement.
“Being showcased alongside a leader like GM Defense during the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary is an incredible milestone.”
The Ralar system functions as a universal interface for drone deployment, removing the need for fixed launch or landing zones, a long-standing limitation for small UAS operating close to combat areas.
The system’s robotic arm can launch and capture drones while in motion, providing tactical units with faster turnaround times and significantly reducing operator exposure to enemy fire.
Traditionally, soldiers must stop and manually handle drones to launch or recover them, exposing personnel and vehicles to indirect fire, visual detection, or loitering munitions.
With Ralar, drones can be retrieved mid-mission without requiring operators to dismount or slow down, improving safety and operational tempo.
Target Arm says the Ralar system represents a paradigm shift for mobile reconnaissance and strike missions, particularly in environments where situational awareness and rapid adaptability are critical.
Precision and platform flexibility
The Ralar system’s precision guidance and recovery functions rely on advanced positioning technology provided by Trimble Inc., which enables accurate synchronization between the drone’s flight path and the vehicle’s movement.
This allows smooth, repeatable capture sequences, even operating at speed or on uneven terrain.
The system is compatible with a wide range of drones and requires no airframe modifications, making it a flexible option for both military and commercial applications.
“Ralar is designed to be platform-agnostic,” the company said. “While it was displayed on GM Defense’s ISV-U, it can be installed on other tactical vehicles, ground robots, or aircraft with minimal modification.”
The system’s modular architecture also supports future integration with autonomous control software or AI-enabled drone swarms, allowing for coordinated, multi-domain operations.
The Ralar MMP aims to enhance situational awareness, reduce vulnerability, and accelerate decision-making at the tactical edge by enabling continuous drone operation without halting vehicle movement.
Target Arm’s innovation comes as militaries worldwide seek to pair manned and unmanned assets through seamless human-machine teaming, a key tenet of next-generation warfare concepts.
Ralar’s debut at AUSA 2025 underscores the growing importance of mobility, autonomy, and modularity in future battlefield systems, as the US Army continues its push toward networked, distributed operations.