Aerospace Group:

Navy/USMC

Navy Awards Another Contract For MQ-25 Carrier-Based Drone

By Marc Selinger

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

SHARE:

Navy Awards Another Contract For MQ-25 Carrier-Based Drone

The Navy's X-47B unmanned aircraft demonstrator (UCAS) designed for carrier operations and the precursor to UCLASS. Photo: U.S. Navy

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has become the third company to receive a concept refinement contract for the U.S. Navy's new MQ-25 program, which aims to develop a carrier-based unmanned aircraft.GA-ASI, whose one-year, $43.7 million contract was announced by the Pentagon Oct. 3, joins Boeing [BA] and Lockheed Martin [LMT], which received similar contracts last month. A fourth company, Northrop Grumman [NOC], is expected to get a comparable award soon.The four companies previously competed for the MQ-25’s predecessor, the…

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]