FCS / BCT unmanned aerial vehicles FCS / BCT unmanned aerial vehicles was a collection of unmanned aerial vehicle s developed under the jurisdiction of the Future Combat Systems ( FCS ) program until it was dissolved and succeeded by the BCT Modernization program . The Class II and Class III UAVs were canceled in May 2007 . The XM157 UAV was canceled when FCS was dissolved in June 2009 . The final aircraft , the XM156 , was canceled in February 2010 when the E - IBCT component of the BCT Modernization program was dissolved . Vehicles . XM156 Class I . The XM156 Class I was a platoon level asset that provided the dismounted soldier with Reconnaissance , Surveillance , and Target Acquisition ( RSTA ) and laser designation . Total system weight , which included the air vehicle , a control device , and ground support equipment is less than and was light enough to be carried by an individual soldier . This micro air vehicle operated in open , rolling , complex and urban terrains with a vertical take - off and landing capability . It was interoperable with select ground and air platforms and controlled by mounted or dismounted soldiers . The Class I used autonomous flight and navigation , but could interact with the network and Soldier to dynamically update routes and target information . It provides dedicated reconnaissance support and early warning to the smallest echelons of the Brigade Combat Team ( BCT ) in environments not suited to larger assets . The Class I system provided a hover and stare capability that is not currently available in the Army UAV inventory for urban and route surveillance . The Class I system also filled known gaps that exist in force operations , such as : Protect Force in Counterinsurgency ( COIN ) Operations , Soldier Protection in COIN environment , Ability to Conduct Joint Urban Operations , Enhanced ISR / RSTA Capabilities , Hover and Stare operations . The Class I UAS was part of Spin Out 1 and entered evaluation by Soldiers at the Army Evaluation Task Force ( AETF ) . It would have been be fielded to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams ( IBCT ) starting in 2011 . Class II . The Class II UAV would have supported the Infantry and Mounted Combat System Company Commanders with reconnaissance , security / early warning , target and designation . The Class II was canceled along with the Class III in late May 2007 . The Class II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( UAV ) had twice the endurance and a wider range of capabilities than the Class I . It was a multifunctional aerial system possessing a Vertical Take - Off and Landing capability . The Class II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( UAV ) would be a vehicle - mounted system that provided Line - of - Sight enhanced dedicated imagery . The distinguishing capability of this UAV is target designation in all conditions . This provides the ability to direct Line - of - Sight ( LOS ) , Beyond - Line - of - Sight ( BLOS ) , and Non - Line - of - Sight ( NLOS ) fires . It could team with selected ground and air platforms , and provides limited communications relay . The Class II could be carried by two Soldiers . It had a 16 km radius of action , and can remain aloft for two hours . " This section incorporates work from http : / / web . archive . org / web / 20070314013051 / www . army . mil / fcs / factfiles / uav2 . html , which is in the public domain as it is a work of the United States Military . " Class III . The Class III UAV was a fixed - wing multifunction aerial system that has the range and endurance to support battalion level RSTA within the Modular Force ' s ( UA ) battle space . It provides the capabilities of the Class I and Class II , but also provides communications relay , mine detection , Chemical , Biological , Radiological and Nuclear ( CBRN ) detection , and meteorological survey . The Class III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( UAV ) has a six hour endurance and a 40 km radius of action . It allows the Non - Line - of - Sight ( NLOS ) battalion to deliver precision fires within the UA area of interest . The Class III must be able to take - off and land without a dedicated air field . The Class III was canceled in late May 2007 along with the Class II . " This section incorporates work from http : / / web . archive . org / web / 20070314012900 / www . army . mil / fcs / factfiles / uav3 . html , which is in the public domain as it is a work of the United States Military . " XM157 Class IV . The XM157 Class IV UAV , was intended to provide reconnaissance , aerial communications extension capability at the brigade level for the United States Army ' s Future Combat Systems program . Other missions were to include land mine and improvised explosive device detection , standoff chemical , biological and radiological detection , and electronic intelligence collection . It was to be organic to the Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition Squadron within the FCS brigade combat team , which will consist of troops of manned armed reconnaissance helicopters ( ARH ) and a separate troop of Class IV UAVs . The FCS Class IV UAV Program was cancelled in January 2010 . Development . The XM157 is derived from the Navy - Marine MQ - 8 Fire Scout which was derived from the manned Schweizer S - 333 . The Army was evaluating a land - based version of the system for fielding of the aircraft to brigade combat teams . The XM157 was produced , in developmental stages , by Northrop Grumman . After cancellation of Future Combat Systems in early 2009 , the aircraft was transferred to BCT Modernization . The aircraft was supposed to be fielded in 2014 . In December 2010 , The U . S . Army suspended its version of the Class IV UAV . The army believes that the fixed - wing and unmanned RQ - 7 Shadow can meet future Army requirements with product improvements . Design . The Block III AH - 64D Apache attack helicopter would have had the capability to control Class IV UAVs from the cockpit , receive their imagery products , and exploit their remote laser designation capability . This manned - unmanned teaming capability will also be available on later models of the ARH . The system ( composed of 4 air vehicles and associated Humvee - based ground control and automated launch and recovery systems ) , was required to operate continuously for 18 – 24 hours over a radius . Each is capable of 8 hours continuous flight and a payload of . History . The Class II and Class III UAVs were canceled in May 2007 . The XM157 UAV was canceled when Future Combat Systems was dissolved in June 2009 . The final aircraft , the XM156 , was canceled in February 2010 when the E - IBCT component of the BCT Modernization program was dissolved .