Boeing subsidiary Insitu, of Bingen, Wash., was awarded the Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS)/Tier II contract from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for its Integrator unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
In partnership with Boeing, Harris Corp., Corsair Engineering and Black Ram Engineering Services, Insitu will begin the 24-month engineering, manufacturing and development phase to build and test its Integrator UAS for STUAS/Tier II system requirements.
Under the contract, Integrator will support two operational assessments. The first will determine if an early operational capability option will be exercised, leading to the fielding of up to five systems in fiscal 2011. The second will support low-rate initial production of two systems, one each for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Initial operating capability is expected in fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The Integrator platform then is expected to move to full-rate production of up to 56 systems.
“I’m looking forward to fielding the capabilities of STUAS to our forward deployed forces,” said Capt. JR Brown, NAVAIR PMA-263 Program Manager. “This critical system will greatly increase their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in theater.”