US cavalry scouts, with Mustang Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment launch the Puma unmanned aircraft system, March 17, 2023, at the Grafenwoehr Training Area. (US Army photo by Spc. Orion Magnuson)
WASHINGTON — The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific awarded space and electronic warfare (EW) company BlueHalo $49.9 million to develop technology and provide support for sensors on uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
The nearly $50 million award will be fleshed out over a five year period and calls for BlueHalo to “deliver hardware, materials and components, engineering services, and integration and operational support” for modular payload EW sensors used on UAS by the US Navy and US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), according to a company release.
“BlueHalo continues to deliver inspired engineering and tactical solutions to help our Nation stay ahead of global threats,” James Batt, BlueHalo Chief Growth Officer, said in the news release.
“NIWC Pacific has relied on our EW sensors to support mission success for more than 15 years. This contract underlines the confidence customers have in BlueHalo to field the very best capabilities when it matters most.”
According to the release, this award will help facilitate the NIWC Pacific’s “broader strategy” in maintaining the function of sensors through “timely repairs and replacements.” BlueHalo is also mandated to train operators on the modular payload systems through the award.
BlueHalo has previously provided sensor systems that were deployed on various platforms maintained by NIWC Pacific and “fielded” by the US government for a number of programs that used both a modular open system approach and a sensor open systems architecture.
These include the Group 3 UAS program, SOCOM’s multi-mission tactical UAS program and the mid-endurance UAS program, which are all in support of the Joint Threat Warning System Program Office, the company said. BlueHalo has also won Pentagon contracts with the missile defense agency and the Air Force.
Related: The Army’s ‘most challenging’ unmanned threat? Group 3 drones
In November, it was announced that drone manufacturing company AeroVironment plans to acquire BlueHalo for roughly $4.1 billion through an all-stock transaction.
