Griffon Aerospace Unveils Shahed-Style MQM-172 Arrowhead Drone with 100-Pound Payload

Alabama-based drone manufacturer Griffon Aerospace has introduced the MQM-172 Arrowhead, a new unmanned aircraft system designed as both a high-performance target drone and a configurable kamikaze platform. The system was announced Sunday, with company program manager Daniel Beck emphasizing its flexibility across training and combat roles, reports Interesting Engineering.

Shahed-Inspired Kamikaze Drone with Modular Payload

The MQM-172 Arrowhead closely resembles Iran’s Shahed-series suicide drones, widely used in modern conflicts. While its primary mission is as a reusable target system for pilot training, the Arrowhead can also be deployed in a one-way attack configuration, making it a dual-use asset. Griffon Aerospace confirmed the platform includes a modular payload bay supporting up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of equipment or munitions. This allows integration of sensors, training packages, or warheads, depending on operational requirements.

Built In-House for Durability and Versatility

According to Beck, the Arrowhead was designed, tested, and manufactured entirely in-house, drawing on Griffon’s track record of producing over 12,000 unmanned aerial systems for the U.S. and international markets.

“Arrowhead was purpose-built to give our customers unmatched flexibility across multiple mission sets,” Beck stated in his announcement. He added that the drone’s introduction “represents the culmination of extensive development and testing.”

The airframe is described as maneuverable and durable, reflecting Griffon’s focus on modular, reliable drone systems that can adapt to rapidly shifting mission profiles.

Expanding Role of Dual-Use Military Drones

The unveiling highlights a shifting defense market priority: affordable, versatile UAVs that can function in both training environments and live combat scenarios. Beck noted the Arrowhead can provide “decisive effects when it matters most,” underscoring its role as a tactical strike option. Globally, unmanned systems have moved to the forefront of modern warfare. From loitering munitions in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to Bayraktar drones in Ukraine, dual-capability drones are transforming airpower strategies. The United States, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with both high-end combat UAVs and cost-effective platforms like the Arrowhead for scalable deployment.

Market Implications for the U.S. Drone Industry

By bridging the gap between combat training support and operational strike capability, the MQM-172 strengthens Griffon Aerospace’s foothold in the competitive U.S. drone market. Its low-cost expendable potential, combined with reusability in training settings, may also appeal to allied forces seeking multi-role flexibility without major budget trade-offs. Industry watchers view the Arrowhead as part of a wider defense procurement trend favoring modular, dual-use unmanned systems, reflecting battlefield lessons from Ukraine and beyond.

DroneXL’s Take

The MQM-172 Arrowhead underscores the growing importance of dual-purpose drones in military strategy. By combining the functions of a pilot-training target and a strike-capable platform, Griffon Aerospace may have found a sweet spot in affordability and operational utility.

However, the move also raises questions:

• Does blending training and weapons roles risk normalizing expendable drones as mainline strike tools?
• Could the Arrowhead’s resemblance to the Iranian Shahed raise perceptions of mirroring adversary tactics, or bolster deterrence?
• How will U.S. allies respond to the availability of a relatively low-cost, dual-use drone designed for both classrooms and battlefields?

As militaries increasingly turn to unmanned aircraft for everything from reconnaissance to precision strike, systems like the Arrowhead may well become the defining bridge between training readiness and combat operations. What do you think: is the MQM-172 a smart dual-role addition, or does it mark a concerning step toward widespread adoption of kamikaze drone strategies? Share your views in the comments.

Photo courtesy of Griffon Aerospace