Article and photo by U.S. Army DEVCOM/Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs (above): An Army research discussing the Soldier Portable Autonomous Reconnaissance Transitioning Aircraft, or SPARTA, with a Soldier from the 11th Airborne Division during a comprehensive flight school hosted by the Army Research Laboratory.
01 April 2026
Researchers from the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory recently hosted a flight school for Soldiers to experiment with two advanced unmanned air systems, or drones, that offer more practical technology solutions that will ultimately enhance Soldier battlefield dominance through collaboration with industry partners.
Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory equipped the 11th Airborne Division with two advanced 3D printable small drones, the Arctic Wolf and the Soldier Portable Autonomous Reconnaissance Transitioning Aircraft, or SPARTA, and conducted a comprehensive flight school, demonstrating the safe and effective use of the systems.
Designed for experimentation and named for the 11th Airborne Division, the Arctic Wolf is a lightweight (one-pound), 3D-printed quadcopter, offering a low-cost solution to unmanned systems.
The 11th Airborne Division executes expeditionary operations worldwide, conducts Multi-Domain Operations in the Indo-Pacific theater and the Arctic, and on order decisively defeats any adversary in extreme cold weather, mountainous and high-latitude environments through large-scale combat operations.
Designed for experimentation and named for the 11th Airborne Division, the Arctic Wolf is a lightweight (one-pound), 3D-printed quadcopter, offering a low-cost solution to unmanned systems.
“Soldiers have to start out experimenting with an easy quadcopter before understanding how to fly a hybrid quadcopter that transitions into forward flight, and this inexpensive first-person view experimentation quadcopter for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance is the key to that experimentation being successful,” said Dr. Asha Hall, branch chief at DEVCOM ARL.
SPARTA is a 3D-printable, easy-to-assemble drone. Weighing just two pounds, SPARTA combines vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter that transitions into a forward-winged flight of an airplane.
The transition of these systems to Soldiers provides the 11th Airborne Division with cutting-edge, government-designed aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to enhance battlefield dominance.
“With these systems, Soldiers do not have to worry about damaging them during experimentation, as entire airframes can be 3D printed overnight and assembled without specialized tools or technical expertise, and the electronics can be reused once the next airframe print is complete,” Hall said.
This, and all of ARL's experimentation to harness Soldiers' ingenuity, support the transformation to accelerate the delivery of new technologies to operational units.
Looking ahead, the ARL team intends to share these systems with other operational units to improve their experimentation processes, gather real-time feedback, and ultimately provide the Army with advanced systems optimized to enhance Soldiers' effectiveness on the battlefield.
In addition, now that the research team has laid the scientific groundwork, they are engaging with industry to transition the technology for mass production.
“In an era of rapidly evolving technology and complex battlefield challenges, partnerships between ARL and industry are essential to drive innovation, accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions, and ensure our Soldiers are equipped with the tools they need to dominate in any operational environment,” Hall said. “ARL plays a pivotal role in bridging fundamental research with industry expertise, enabling the rapid transition of advanced capabilities to the battlefield. By leveraging the agility and resources of industry, the laboratory ensures that Soldiers benefit from state-of-the-art solutions that enhance performance, improve survivability, and maintain a decisive advantage over adversaries.”
About DEVCOM ARL
DEVCOM ARL is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus of science between the military, academia and industry. ARL executes globally recognized research to accelerate delivery of war-winning, disruptive technologies for tomorrow’s Army. For information, visit the Army Research Laboratory website.
