WASHINGTON -- British maritime company, Kraken Technology Group, was awarded a $49 million cap Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the rapid development and prototyping of novel uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and uncrewed undersea vessel (UUV) technologies to enhance maritime capabilities for U.S. special operations forces.

The announcement follows Kraken’s participation in two SOCOM innovation cycles alongside the Norwegian and United Kingdom Governments. The OTA mechanism enables USSOCOM to rapidly assess and integrate emerging technologies from non-traditional defence innovators like Kraken.

The USVs and UUVs under development will feature autonomous navigation, low-observable technologies, and scalable sensor and effector options to support ISR, logistics, and direct-action missions across contested littoral environments.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/11/kraken-awarded-ota-by-ussocom-for-development-of-next-gen-usv-and-uuv/

SAN DIEGO - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has confirmed it is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia for a major defense package potentially involving up to 330 unmanned aircraft. According to company President David Alexander, the deal under discussion includes up to 130 MQ-9B drones outfitted with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, alongside 200 Gambit collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs). The Gambit drones are designed to operate alongside manned fighters, a capability recently demonstrated when a Gambit was controlled from an F-22 cockpit.

The sheer volume of the proposed acquisition would likely facilitate significant domestic manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance within the Kingdom. This potential agreement follows a recent Strategic Defense Agreement between Washington and Riyadh, signaling a political shift that allows for renewed high-level defense cooperation. If finalized, the deal would mark a significant transition for Saudi Arabia away from Chinese and Turkish drone suppliers toward U.S. systems compatible with NATO standards.

While the scope and configuration remain under review, the package aims to bolster Saudi Arabia’s surveillance and combat capabilities amid ongoing regional threats, including those from Houthi forces. The move parallels a broader uptick in U.S. drone exports to the Gulf, following recent progress on agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. If the deal proceeds as currently outlined, Saudi Arabia would become the world's largest operator of the MQ-9B platform.

Source: Army Recognition
Associated URL: https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/general-atomics-confirms-talks-with-saudi-arabia-for-up-to-130-mq-9b-drones
Author: Jérôme Brahy 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. a ceiling contract valued at $9.69 million to provide logistics support for the Kingdom of Spain’s Air and Space Force MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft systems. The cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price, indefinite contract covers a wide range of support activities critical to sustaining Spain’s MQ-9A fleet.

Under the agreement, General Atomics will deliver depot repair, engineering services, field team support, and software maintenance for Spain’s remotely piloted aircraft enterprise. Work will be conducted in Poway, California, with completion expected by Aug. 31, 2026. The effort is being executed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with $4.75 million in FMS funds obligated at the time of award.

The contract was awarded as a sole-source acquisition by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The award underscores continuing collaboration between the United States and Spain on advanced unmanned aircraft capabilities and sustainment.

Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Associated URL: https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4339288/