US Air Force tests powered gliders for long-range resupply

US Air Force special operations forces are testing the use of powered gliders to deliver logistical and medical supplies to ground troops in remote or contested environments. During Exercise Northern Viking 2026 near Akureyri, Iceland, personnel from the 352d Special Operations Wing conducted drills to airdrop these gliders from MC-130 cargo aircraft.

The initiative aims to validate the capability to sustain small teams operating far beyond traditional supply lines, particularly in regions like the Arctic where enemy threats or extreme distances may prevent regular aircraft or ship access. This focus on the ‘High North’ aligns with increasing strategic competition in the Arctic involving the US, NATO allies, Russia, and China.

While the specific manufacturer and model of the glider used in Iceland were not disclosed, similar autonomous aerial resupply testing has previously been conducted by US Army Green Berets in Romania and North Macedonia.