Jamie Bennet
General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems business received a $65.5 million order to supply and install ground control stations and supporting unmanned air vehicle equipment to the U.S. Navy.
The contract also includes purchasing equipment to support operations of the MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper drones used by the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense said Friday.
Earlier this year, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. was awarded a $135.8 million contract to deliver eight MQ-9A units to the USMC. Under the new agreement, the company will be responsible for supplying the Marine Air Ground Task Force with 18 mission kits and communications gear for the expeditionary medium altitude long endurance MQ-9A.
It will also transport and set up the GCSs for the Navy and provide engineering, training and logistics support for relevant materials and equipment.
The service branch has given GA-ASI two years to work on the project, which will be carried out in three sites in California. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.
