Northrop Grumman awarded $248 million for two unmanned MQ-4Cs

The Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman $248 million for two MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems.

Naval Air Systems Command authorized the production and delivery of Tritons for the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force in a justification and approval document released today.

The advanced acquisition contract also procures long lead items in order to maintain planned production schedules, according to the service.

“The [low-rate initial production] Lot 5 and LRIP Lot 6 contracts will provide for the procurement of aircraft, main operating bases, forward operating bases and related supplies and support. Additional UASs may be procured within LRIP Lot 5 and/ or LRIP Lot 6 as subsequently authorized and appropriated by Congress and/or to provide for international agreement requirements within these lots,” the document states.

The total estimated value of all contract actions is $1.3 billion, according to the Navy.

The two MQ-4Cs will be procured using fiscal year 2022 Navy aircraft funds and work is expected to be completed in February 2027, according to a June 22 Defense Department contract listing.

In its FY-23 budget request, the Navy would procure three MQ-4Cs, four in FY-24 and zero for the rest of the future years defense program. The service is requesting $663 million in FY-23 for the program.