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Army, Navy order Blackjack drones

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Members of the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) test team transport the RQ-21A across the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) after its first flight at sea. Mesa Verde is underway conducting exercises. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sabrina Fine/Released)

General Atomics has been awarded a $25.2 million contract modification to deliver additional MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs.

The contract includes “four Gray Eagle War replacement aircraft and four satellite air data terminals under the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems full rate production contract,” according to the Department of Defense contract announcement.

The contract is schedule to be completed by December 2017.

Meanwhile, Insitu has been awarded a $21.6 million contract modification for two additional Lot V RQ-21A Blackjack UAVs.

The order is for one UAV for the U.S. Navy and another for Canada, according to the Department of Defense contract announcement. It also includes ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, and systems engineering and program management. 

The contract is scheduled for completion by December 2017.

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Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him at theuncommondefense.com. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.