SAN DIEGO – A Valkyrie drone aircraft from San Diego-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions will serve as a starting point for a U.S. Marine Corps unmanned aircraft meant to fly as a “wingman” to a manned counterpart such as an advanced F-35 Lightning II.
Defense contracting giant Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) will be the prime contractor, adding software and systems to the Valkyrie under the new arrangement.
Northrop said it will do the work at its Baltimore office.
The contract is what the Pentagon calls an OTA (Other Transaction Agreement) initially valued at $231.5 million over 24 months. The government declined to release a schedule of developmental “milestones” for the new system, according to an account in Breaking Defense.
The partners announced the deal earlier this month (Jan. 8). Northrop Grumman said that following a competition for the award, it received the contract for the MUX TACAIR CCA.
The initials stand for Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Kratos, which has its corporate offices in Scripps Ranch, builds several models of unmanned aircraft in Sacramento and Oklahoma. The Valkyrie is also known as the X-58.
Northrop Grumman said it will add an Advanced Mission Kit, described as a cost-effective kit inclusive of sensors and software-defined technologies designed specifically for uncrewed aircraft. “The mission kit’s flexible technology can perform various kinetic and non-kinetic effects, making the platform a combat-ready asset,” the partners said.
Northrop Grumman’s open architecture autonomy software package, known as Prism, will manage the aircraft’s operations autonomously.
The Valkyrie aircraft will be equipped for conventional takeoff and landing as well as what the contractors called “enhanced runway flexibility” with a modular airframe and payload bays for what the contractors call “customizable effects.”
“Northrop Grumman has packaged its sensors and other mission capabilities into a smaller envelope, resulting in a more cost-effective solution that is compatible with an uncrewed platform,” the businesses said in a statement. “Combining existing product lines and proven capabilities, Northrop Grumman, Kratos and commercial partners developed a missionized CCA that includes survivability, connectivity, lethality and supportability elements. With more than 20 successful flight demonstrations in operationally relevant environments, Northrop Grumman and Kratos are offering the U.S. Marine Corps a low risk, expedited path to MUX TACAIR mission capability and persistent joint crewed and uncrewed expeditionary operations.”
Northrop Grumman works on unmanned aircraft programs such as the Navy’s Triton and the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk at its North County offices. A company spokeswoman said the new work for the Marine Corps will be done in Baltimore.
The big contractor makes other products in San Diego County, such as electronics.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
FOUNDED: 1994 as Wireless Facilities Inc.
CEO: Eric DeMarco
HEADQUARTERS: Scripps Ranch
BUSINESS: Defense contractor
REVENUE: $1.14 billion in 2024; $1.04 billion in 2023
EMPLOYEES: Approximately 4,000 in 14 countries, as of late 2024
STOCK: KTOS (Nasdaq)
WEBSITE: kratosdefense.com
CONTACT: 858-812-7300
NOTABLE: Kratos’ Valkyrie aircraft is 30 feet long, has a wingspan of 27 feet and weighs 3 tons.
