Northrop Grumman has received a $19.5M contract modification to continue engineering and cybersecurity efforts for an unmanned aerial system built to support the U.S. Navy's reconnaissance, situational awareness and precision targeting missions.
The modification will include software design and system integration, qualification and test of the MQ-8 Fire Scout helicopter fleet, the Department of Defense said Friday.
Work under the modification will occur in San Diego and is scheduled to conclude in December.
Naval Air Systems Command will use fiscal 2019 operations, maintenance and aircraft procurement funds to cover the full obligated amount, with $12M of the total amount slated to expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
MQ-8 is designed to operate from air-capable ships or land bases and the system includes mission control systems and control handling and support equipment.