The United States Air Force has begun operational deployment of the Grasshopper autonomous glider, an innovative cargo delivery system designed to operate in highly contested and dangerous environments. Developed jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and DZYNE Technologies, the Grasshopper is a significant step forward in the Air Force’s push for survivable, low-cost logistics under fire.
DZYNE confirmed to Air & Space Forces Magazine that “several dozen” Grasshoppers have been delivered to the Air Force as part of a wider program to enhance contested logistics. The vehicle, unveiled publicly on May 2, 2025, promises a game-changing alternative to manned cargo aircraft that are vulnerable in air-denied zones.
The Grasshopper is a glider-based aerial delivery system, designed to carry up to 500 pounds of supplies and be launched from the rear ramps of transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules or C-17 Globemaster III. The glider can achieve speeds up to 109 mph and glide for “tens of miles” depending on its release altitude, according to DZYNE. It is intended as a single-use system, keeping costs low and functionality focused on mission effectiveness.
While primarily built for resupplying forward-deployed troops and delivering cargo in areas too dangerous for manned aircraft, the Grasshopper also shows potential in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Time-sensitive delivery of medical supplies or food in remote or disaster-struck regions could be executed more effectively with Grasshopper gliders.
The design of the Grasshopper reflects its core mission: survivable logistics in austere and contested environments. An AFRL video released in September 2024 shows the glider as a boxy, rectangular airframe with a single boom-mounted tail section and foldable wings. This configuration allows for compact storage, ease of deployment, and quick adaptation to various platforms.
The development timeline was remarkably rapid. Requirements were received by AFRL’s Center for Rapid Innovation in November 2020, and the first test flights were carried out less than a year later in October 2021 at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. The Aerospace Systems Directorate of AFRL provided key aerodynamic and propulsion data, contributing to the decision to integrate a small turbine engine.
Though the base Grasshopper glider is unpowered, AFRL’s early supply of turbine engines to DZYNE led to bench testing and structural integration evaluations, hinting at powered variants being part of the development vision from the start.
Grasshopper’s leap from prototype to field-ready asset was accelerated by a tight feedback loop between AFRL, DZYNE, and operational Air Force units. Engineers incorporated direct feedback from troops during flight evaluations and simulations, allowing for rapid iteration and refinements. AFRL called this cooperation a case study in “rapid transition from research to operational deployment.”
Priced at around $40,000 per unit, Grasshopper uses low-cost manufacturing methods that emphasize simplicity and modularity. Its affordability and expendability make it an ideal candidate for missions where conventional logistics chains are compromised or too costly to operate.
It remains unclear which Air Force commands have received the Grasshopper, though speculation points to Air Mobility Command (AMC) and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) as likely recipients. Both are heavily involved in forward logistics and special operations.
Shortly after operational deployment began, AFRL revealed that user feedback demanded increased range, prompting the development of the Dragonfly—a powered version of the Grasshopper.
Described as a “turbine-powered variant of the proven Grasshopper airframe,” Dragonfly will extend range dramatically, possibly into hundreds of miles. While this redesign requires significant structural and system changes, DZYNE has confirmed the new variant is already under development, with a potential rollout in early 2026.
Whether Dragonfly is the only powered derivative or one of multiple configurations remains unclear. However, the use of turbine engines from early on implies powered flight has always been within the strategic vision for the platform.
The Grasshopper is tailor-made for Agile Combat Employment (ACE), a concept that emphasizes mobility, dispersed basing, and rapid response to avoid enemy targeting. In ACE scenarios, units operate from austere locations with minimal infrastructure, often moving quickly and unpredictably.
In such environments, resupplying troops with food, medical kits, ammunition, and spare parts is a logistical headache. The Grasshopper’s ability to be deployed from various platforms—including potentially drones—makes it a valuable logistics multiplier.
In fact, previous test flights have already seen the Grasshopper dropped from DZYNE’s ULTRA drone (Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft). This indicates a broader future where unmanned systems handle the entire delivery chain—drones launching glider drones.
The MC-130J Commando II is expected to be a primary manned platform for deployment, given its utility in special operations and compatibility with airdrop procedures.
The use of lightweight, expendable gliders reduces the logistical footprint and visibility of operations. For Tier 1 special operations missions—like reconnaissance patrols, infiltration, or hostage rescues—avoiding detection is key. Traditional cargo drops by large aircraft risk both the crew and the broader operation.
With Grasshopper, mission planners have a low-signature alternative. The vehicle glides silently and autonomously to its target coordinates, deploys a parachute system for final descent, and is easily discarded post-delivery. In operational videos, Grasshoppers are seen gliding in tandem before vertically descending with pinpoint accuracy onto target zones.
While the exact units using the system remain classified, the capabilities clearly align with the needs of AFSOC and Navy SEAL operations, where stealth and autonomy are vital.
DZYNE has expanded its manufacturing capabilities with a new 125,000-square-foot facility in Irvine, California. This factory is expected to handle rising demand for both the Grasshopper and ULTRA platforms.
Matthew McCue, CEO of DZYNE, commented, “By working closely, we were able to design and refine the Grasshopper product line into a cost-effective, high-performance aerial logistics platform.”
The company’s collaboration with AFRL has not only accelerated the product lifecycle but also refined the model for future rapid development in defense manufacturing.
Another major advantage of the Grasshopper is its autonomous navigation capability. The vehicle uses pre-programmed GPS coordinates, onboard sensors, and terrain-mapping software to fly autonomously from release to impact point. This eliminates the need for remote pilots or communications links that can be jammed or intercepted.
In a combat environment where communication is often contested, this capability gives commanders confidence that the mission will proceed as planned even in degraded conditions.
Autonomy also means the system can be operated in swarms. Dozens of Grasshoppers could be launched simultaneously to saturate an area with supplies or decoys, further enhancing its strategic utility.
The Grasshopper and its emerging variants represent a shift in how the U.S. military approaches logistics under threat. In a future conflict against a near-peer adversary with advanced anti-air defenses, large and vulnerable aircraft are liabilities.
By contrast, cheap, precise, and autonomous delivery vehicles like the Grasshopper offer a way to maintain operational tempo without risking pilots or expensive aircraft. Their ability to integrate into a broad variety of manned and unmanned platforms adds another layer of flexibility.
