U.S. Army Trains with Latest Maritime Domain Awareness Capabilities Alongside Philippine Partners During Balikatan 25

During Balikatan 25, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace’s K1000ULE, an ultra-long endurance unmanned aerial system, supported multi-domain reconnaissance and network extension missions alongside the Philippine Air Force. Operated by the 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB), the K1000ULE flew in tandem with High-Altitude Balloons (HABs) and electronic warfare systems to enhance signal retransmission and target acquisition in Palawan and at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui.

The training built on lessons learned during Static Focus 3 in Washington, the Army’s first battalion-level All-Domain Home Station Training exercise. MDEB soldiers integrated these capabilities into a real-world environment, enabling cross-domain coordination with Philippine counterparts. In one instance, a UAS launch cradle was mounted to a Philippine Air Force vehicle, demonstrating a new model for joint fixed-wing launches in future operations.

According to U.S. Army leaders, the K1000ULE played a pivotal role in maintaining airborne connectivity across long distances—supporting reconnaissance for HIMARS live-fire missions and reinforcing the U.S.-Philippine partnership’s shared commitment to regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

Read the full article at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM)

Story by Maj. Ian Sandall, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force

Photo taken by U.S. Army 1st Lt. Andrew Yarlett