The US Army has awarded Mistral a $20-million contract for the procurement of Thor mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to support multi-mission, company-level operations.
Under the contract, Mistral will deliver Thor vertical takeoff and landing UAS, along with various payloads to strengthen tactical formations. Delivery is expected by March 2027.
Mistral has partnered with Thor’s Israel-based developer, Elbit Systems subsidiary Fuse, to integrate various mission payloads into the system.
“This award is about getting a proven, company-relevant capability into Soldiers’ hands with speed, and doing it with a system designed for real operational conditions,” senior vice president of business development at Mistral, Yoav Banai, said.
“By pairing Mistral’s US-based integration and delivery focus with Fuse’s Thor platform, we’re positioned to provide a rapidly deployable Group 2 UAS that supports multi-mission teams and adapts quickly as the operational picture changes.”
The contract follows a $15.3-million award to Quantum Systems to deliver its Vector AI small unmanned aerial system for US Army Brigade Combat Teams.
The awards signal a growing push for survivable, rapidly deployable drones, as recent conflicts highlight the importance of agile systems for reconnaissance and targeting.
Thor Mini Drone
The Thor Group 2 (21 to 55 pounds/9.5 to 25 kilograms) is a fully autonomous, multi-rotor mini-UAS designed for rapid deployment and flexible payload integration across tactical and reconnaissance missions.
It can carry up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of payload, folds for backpack transport, and can be deployed in under two minutes. The system can operate autonomously for up to 70 minutes with its integrated electro-optical/infrared sensor.
Thor supports small units with capabilities including surveillance, target acquisition, communications relay, electronic warfare, and resupply. Its autonomous flight functions reduce operator workload, while modular payloads enable rapid mission adaptation.
“Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber is proud to support this effort alongside Mistral and Fuse,” vice president of marketing at Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber, Yoav Poizner, said.
“The US Army’s decision to select Thor as its Company-Level multi-rotor system validates the technological and operational advantages offered by our solutions.
Together, we look forward to helping deliver a dependable system that can be configured for evolving mission needs and scaled for operational demand.”
