The Vanilla VA001 is a diesel/jet-fuel-powered ultra-long-endurance UAV (~11 m wingspan) designed to carry a ~30 lb payload at altitude for up to 10 days. It set multiple internal-combustion endurance records, including an 8-day flight in 2021.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Ultra-long-endurance fixed-wing UAV |
| Role | Persistent ISR / communications relay |
| Classification | Long-endurance ISR UAV |
| Mission | persistent ISR, communications relay, long-endurance surveillance |
| Datalink | SATCOM/LOS |
| Variants | VA001 |
| Operators | US (DARPA-backed testing) |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | Diesel/heavy-fuel internal combustion engine |
| Range (km) | 19600 |
| Wingspan (m) | 11 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Launch method | conventional runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Autonomous endurance flight |
| Endurance (min) | 11570 |
| Recovery method | conventional runway landing |
| Year introduced | 2016 |
| Max payload (kg) | 13.6 |
| Standard sensors | modular ISR payload |
| Production status | Development / low-rate |
| Notable engagements | 8-day 50-min flight (Oct 2021) |
| Service ceiling (m) | 4572 |