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On January 31, 2026, the U.S. Navy demonstrated V-BAT unmanned aerial system operations aboard the USS Portland in the Pacific Ocean, conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. This operation aims to enhance warfighting readiness and improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in response to evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific region. The V-BAT, with its vertical takeoff and landing design, can operate autonomously and carry payloads up to 11.3 kg, reflecting the military's adaptation to long-range surveillance demands.