WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., based in Sacramento, California, has been awarded a a $61 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy. Announced on February 3, the modification exercises options for Full Rate Production Lot Seven of the BQM-177A Surface Launched Aerial Targets.

The agreement also covers the procurement of 70 Rocket-Assisted Takeoff (RATO) attachment kits, alongside necessary technical and administrative data. These high-performance aerial targets are essential for supporting the Navy's weapons system test and evaluation programs, as well as maintaining fleet readiness through live-fire training.

The work will be performed across several states, with half of the production occurring in Sacramento, California, followed by Dallas, Texas (20%), and various other locations including Florida, Virginia, and Kansas. The project is expected to be completed by August 2028. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity for this non-competed award, which utilizes Weapons Procurement (Navy) funds from fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Associated URL: https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4397759/contracts-for-feb-2-2026-through-feb-4-2026/

MARIGNANE -- The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has ordered a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) version of the SMDM mini-drone system for the French Navy from Airbus Helicopters subsidiary Survey Copter. The order builds on an existing programme under which the DGA has procured 34 Aliaca systems since 2022. Deliveries of the VTOL variant are scheduled to begin in May 2026 following a qualification campaign.

The Aliaca VTOL retains the performance and architecture of the proven fixed-wing system while adding four lift propellers that enable vertical take-off and landing, reducing deployment time and eliminating the need for launch and recovery equipment. The 25 kg tactical drone offers up to two hours of endurance and a 50 km range, carrying electro-optical/infrared sensors and an AIS payload for maritime surveillance.

Already operational on French Navy patrol vessels, frigates, and coastal search and rescue missions, the VTOL version will expand operational flexibility across a wider range of ships and future land-based coastal surveillance roles.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-02-the-french-navy-to-become-first-operator-of-airbus-aliaca-vertical-uncrewed-aerial-system
Author: Airbus 

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon announced 25 vendors to compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), an acquisition reform effort designed to rapidly field low cost, unmanned one way attack drones at scale.

The Phase I evaluation-the Gauntlet-will begin 18 February at Fort Benning, where military operators will fly and evaluate vendor systems. The Gauntlet will conclude in early March, when approximately $150 million in prototype delivery orders will be placed, with deliveries beginning shortly thereafter and continuing over the following five months.

The military plans to spend $1.1 billion over four phases, placing warfighters at the center of evaluation, and driving competitive, iterative cycles measured in months, not years. Across the program's four phases, unit prices decrease, production volumes increase, and operational capability rises.

By 2027, the Department will be fielding hundreds of thousands of weaponized, one way attack drones ready for combat.

The Department has invited 25 companies to Gauntlet I, listed below alphabetically.

· Anno.AI · Ascent Aerosystems · Auterion Government Solutions · DZYNE Technologies · Ewing Aerospace · Farage Precision · Firestorm Labs · General Cherry Corp · Greensight · Griffon Aerospace · Halo Aeronautics · Kratos SRE · ModalAI · Napatree Technology · Neros Technologies · Oski Ventures · Paladin Defense Services · Performance Drone Works (PDW) · Responsibly · Swarm Defense Technologies · Teal Drones · Ukrainian Defense Drones Tech Corp · Vector Defense · W S Darley & Co · Xtend Reality

Source: DoD
Associated URL: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4396462/war-department-announces-vendors-invited-to-compete-in-phase-i-of-the-drone-dom/