Teledyne FLIR Defense has introduced Rogue 1 Block 2, a heavily upgraded version of its loitering munition designed for infantry and special operations forces. The company revealed the new system during SOF Week 2026, positioning it as a more capable precision-strike platform for modern battlefields shaped by electronic warfare, contested communications, and mobile armored threats.

The upgraded drone follows two years of operational feedback from U.S. military users, including the U.S. Marine Corps Organic Precision Fires-Light program and U.S. Special Operations Command initiatives. Teledyne says the new version improves range, survivability, autonomy, and lethality while preserving the compact design that allows troops to carry and deploy the system without heavy support equipment.

Extended combat range

Rogue 1 Block 2 now reaches operational distances exceeding 12 miles, doubling the range of the earlier model. The increase allows frontline troops to engage targets farther from their positions while staying outside many short-range threat zones.

To support that extended reach, engineers redesigned the drone’s propeller system for better efficiency during long flights and rapid attack maneuvers. Teledyne also added upgraded battery cell technology that boosts endurance by roughly 20 percent.

The drone remains lightweight and portable enough for infantry teams. Operators can launch the system without dedicated launcher vehicles or fixed infrastructure, giving units greater flexibility during mobile operations.

Rogue 1 uses a vertical takeoff and landing design, allowing troops to deploy the munition in confined terrain or urban environments.

Enhanced strike power

One of the largest upgrades in Block 2 is a new anti-armor payload. The loitering munition now incorporates shaped charge jet technology designed to penetrate more heavily protected targets.

The previous Rogue 1 variant primarily focused on light armored vehicles and troop positions. The new payload broadens the platform’s mission set against fortified positions and armored battlefield assets.

Teledyne says the drone continues to use electro-optical and thermal imaging systems for target identification and tracking. A stabilized gimballed payload improves imaging clarity and strike precision during final attack maneuvers.

The system can reach speeds of roughly 70 mph, helping operators quickly engage moving targets after identification.

Built for contested warfare

Teledyne also upgraded Rogue 1 Block 2 for environments where GPS signals and communications networks face disruption or jamming attempts.

The company added dual-band radio capability to improve communication range and electronic warfare resilience. Rogue 1 Block 2 also gains stronger onboard computing hardware, enabling higher levels of autonomous operation and reducing operator workload during missions.

Software updates add track landing capability, improved mapping tools, and stronger GPS-denied navigation through combined thermal and daylight imagery.

“Over the last two years, Rogue 1 has delivered critical successes for customers,” said Tung Ng, vice president of unmanned systems North America at Teledyne Technologies. He said the upgrades reinforce the platform’s role as a flexible precision-strike system for frontline forces. Teledyne has opened Rogue 1 Block 2 for orders and expects deliveries to begin later this year.