JIATF-401 awards CACI $500M for non-kinetic cUAS
JIATF-401 also awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $500 million three-year contract earlier this month.
JIATF-401 also awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $500 million three-year contract earlier this month.
Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano told an audience Tuesday that the service is looking to award the first contracts for its CAML program next month, and it is in final negotiations with AV for its E-HEL initiative.
One of the use-cases envisaged for the platform could be to “fly at high-speed and low-level in order to penetrate deep into enemy territory,” Marco Marinoni, head of the AH-249 acquisition program in the Italian Army, said.
The company said in a release today that it will be providing its Switchblade 400 product, a portable, anti-armor loitering munition with medium range.
Currently OFP-L systems from three manufacturers are being tested by units at Dugway Proving Grounds outside of Salt Lake City.
The first product in the MAYHEM line is dubbed MAYHEM 10, a launched effect system with a 10lb payload.
The unveiling at AUSA's Global Force comes as militaries the world over race for cheaper ways to confront the drone threat.
The multimillion dollar deal for Empirical Systems Aerospace will "accelerate AV's ability to bridge the gap between conceptual design and manufacturing execution," AV chief Wahid Nawabi said.
The defense firm rolled out a new Switchblade design dubbed the Switchblade 400, as well as an update to its VAPOR vertical takeoff-and-landing drone.
"We’re locked in step with the Army, we’re fired up about the future, and I think what you’re going to see at AUSA really supports where the Army is headed," Geoff Norman, director of US strategy and growth at GDLS, told Breaking Defense.
The two firms are focused on the lower tier aspect of Golden Dome, such as small drones and cruise missiles.
The new firm's CEO told Breaking Defense the company is focused on being flexible, and delivering mass when asked.
“We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range, UAS platforms with the potential to maximize operational flexibility for the Joint force,” said DIU’s Trent Emeneker.
The maker of the Switchblade family of drones is pushing into the maritime domain with the new version of its Jump-20 system.