The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has increased the ceiling on its contract to support modifications and capability enhancements to its Medium-altitude, Long-endurance Tactical (MALET) aircraft.
The funding increase from $15 million to $93 million is in response to the significantly expanded payload capacity of the newly fielded MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Gray Eagle ER is designed and manufactured by Poway, CA-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the company announced October 14.
“We’re helping USSOCOM adjust to the changing threat environment and
mission needs,” said David Alexander, president, GA-ASI. “Gray Eagle ER’s
significant increase in endurance, range and capacity to carry internal and
external payloads provides USSOCOM and other users with a platform capable of
hosting multiple capabilities simultaneously.”
The increased funding ceiling ensures that SOCOM has the ability to rapidly develop, procure and field new capabilities, as well as conduct studies, modifications and test events with their fleet of Gray Eagle ERs.
Source: GA-ASI
By Loren Blinde
October 15, 2019
