One Will Be Fielded After Assessment, Second Will Be Held In
Reserve
The Navy announced Friday the award of two fixed-price
contracts to Boeing/Frontier Systems and Lockheed Martin for Cargo
Unmanned Aircraft System services for $29.9 and $45.8 million
respectively.
The Cargo UAS services contract is in response to an urgent
needs requirement in support of Marine Corps forces in Operation
Enduring Freedom. This capability will augment ground and air
logistics operations, supplement rotary-wing assets and reduce
warfighters' exposure to Improved Explosive Devices in theater.
"We are trying to get this much needed capability to the
warfighter as quickly as possible," said Rear Adm. Bill Shannon,
Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.
"By evaluating two different systems, we have the ability to
accelerate development of technology and use it immediately to
support the warfighter while maintaining competition."
Both contracts include development of two air vehicles, three
remote ground control stations and a Quick Reaction Assessment
(QRA). The systems will be government-owned and
contractor-operated. Each contract also includes a separate
fixed-price option for a six-month deployment.
In order to meet the operational needs of the Marine Corps, the
Navy made a decision to award two contracts to reduce potential
deployment delays and inability to meet performance requirements.
The Navy will conduct a QRA in summer 2011 to prove systems'
ability to sustain cargo-carrying capability in an operational
environment. Immediately following a successful QRA, one
contractor's in-country service option will be exercised and their
system will deploy to OEF.
Boeing Hummingbird File Photo
Boeing said in a news release it will provide two A160T
Hummingbird unmanned vehicles, three ground control stations,
spares, training and support. The A160T aircraft designated for the
contract are near completion on the Boeing production line that
started up in March at the company's Mesa, AZ, facility. The
Lockheed Martin system was not specified.
"While we only plan on deploying one system after a successful
QRA, we will explore options for using the second system for future
operational missions and/or science and technology development,
should it also meet performance requirements," said Capt. Tim
Dunigan, Program Manger for Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission
Tactical Unmanned Air Systems (PMA-266).
The Navy intends to field Cargo UAS in fall 2011 for a six-month
deployment. After the initial deployment, Navy and Marine Corps
leadership will assess the value of the capability and determine if
an extension or re-compete contract should be pursued.
NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1
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