SAN DIEGO, Aug. 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $135.8 million modification to a previously awarded contract for the Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle (VTUAV) program.
The award definitizes the remaining portion of the work to complete the program's systems development and demonstration (SDD) phase through 2008.
"This award indicates continued customer support of the Fire Scout program," said Doug Fronius, VTUAV program director for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "We have worked with the Navy to create an integrated common baseline so we're well positioned to execute the program."
A total of nine MQ-8B Navy Fire Scouts are planned under the VTUAV SDD contract. Northrop Grumman's Unmanned Systems Development Center in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., manages the contract and provides engineering services. The basic airframe is manufactured in Elmira, N.Y., by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, and final assembly work is done at Northrop Grumman's Moss Point, Miss., production facility.
Fire Scout will provide warfighters with real-time video imagery and communications-relay capability. The weapons-capable air vehicle, which can fly missions more than eight hours long, will also help warfighters assess battle damage, provide precision targeting and gather intelligence.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.