Navy awards $60M contract for UCLASS drone assessment
UCLASS system would provide ocean intelligence collection, strike capabilities at sea.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include Northrop Grumman.
The Naval Air Systems Command is awarding separate $15 million contracts to Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to conduct a preliminary design review for the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike drone (UCLASS).
UCLASS is intended to enhance aircraft carrier operations by providing a global presence using a sea-based unmanned aerial system with persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting and strike capabilities.
Work on the review contracts is expected to be completed in June 2014, the Navy said.
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