Northrop Developing Navy UAV Logistics System

Northrop Grumman Corp. will help the Navy transition into a lead maintenance role for an unmanned aircraft fleet, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.

The company will develop logistics management systems under the $32,774,936 contract modification.

Broad area maritime surveillance drones will also transition from contractor logistics support to organic military maintenance.

Nearly 74 percent of the work will occur in Bethpage, N.Y. and the rest will occur in Rancho Bernardo, Calif.; Melbourne, Fla.; and Palmdale, Calif.

The Pentagon expects work to finish by September 2015 and the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

Northrop is also contracted to provide three Fire Scout take-off and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles and one ground control station to the Navy.