The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $40.8 million cost-share research-and-development contract to Composite Engineering Inc. to help the service branch develop an unmanned aerial system.
The Defense Department said Friday CEI will design, build, assemble and test a technical baseline for a new long-range, high-speed UAS platform as well as identify key technology for future aircraft demonstrations and a vehicle for technology demonstrations.
DoD noted that $7.3 million of the total funds for the program will come from the Air Force and the remaining $33.5 million will be CEI’s contribution to the effort.
California-based Composite Engineering, a subsidiary of Kratos, manufactures aerial targets, advanced composite systems, unmanned aerial systems and unmanned control systems for defense and security clients.