The US Navy has awarded its much-anticipated small tactical unmanned aircraft systems (STUAS) contract to the Boeing/Insitu Integrator, having had the decision in a holding pattern since last October.
The Boeing subsidiary will be a prime contractor for the first time under the two-year $43.7 million engineering and manufacturing development deal, awarded on 29 July. Harris Corp, Corsair Engineering and Black Ram Engineering will partner with Insitu on the programme.
Two assessments will run in tandem, one to support low-rate initial production of two systems, one each for the US Navy and US Marine Corps, and the other to determine if an early operational capability option will be exercised leading to the fielding of up to five systems in fiscal 2011.