JACKSONVILLE, Florida — April 14, 2026 : Redwire Corporation has secured purchase orders exceeding $20 million during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 to supply its Stalker unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, marking a key step in upgrading small tactical drone capabilities.
The awards support the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263) under its Family of Small UAS division. The procurement was executed through the Defense Logistics Agency Tailored Logistics Support contract, an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) multi-award framework, with Atlantic Diving Supply acting as the prime contractor.
The contract includes the U.S. Marine Corps’ first acquisition of the Advanced Navigation variant of the Stalker Block 30 drone. While the number of systems ordered was not disclosed, each package comprises air vehicles, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) camera payloads, ground control stations capable of short-, medium-, and long-range operations, and associated support kits.
The procurement initiates a transition from the Marine Corps’ existing Stalker Block 30 fleet to the Advanced Navigation configuration. The new systems will augment more than 250 Stalker aircraft already in service. The upgraded variant is designed to operate effectively in contested electromagnetic environments, maintaining navigation and targeting functions in GPS-denied or jammed conditions.
According to Redwire, the capability enhancement addresses increasing reliance on resilient guidance systems in modern combat scenarios where electronic warfare and signal disruption are prevalent. The Advanced Navigation system enables sustained reconnaissance, target tracking, and operational flexibility under such conditions.
Steve Adlich, president of Redwire Defense Tech, stated that the capability is critical for long-range reconnaissance missions conducted in environments where satellite navigation may be unavailable. He noted that the Stalker platform has a 20-year operational history and supports modernization efforts within PMA-263.
The Stalker Block 30 is a Group 2 small tactical UAS designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It provides ground units with real-time aerial visibility beyond line of sight to support monitoring and targeting operations.
The platform has a wingspan of 4.9 meters (16 feet) and a maximum takeoff weight of 22 kilograms (49 pounds). It can be transported in standard vehicles and assembled by a two-person team in under 20 minutes. The aircraft supports endurance of more than eight hours using either a propane solid oxide fuel cell or rechargeable batteries and offers a communication range of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles).
The system features a low acoustic signature to reduce detectability and incorporates a modular open architecture, allowing integration of electro-optical and infrared payloads for day and night operations.
Redwire did not disclose a delivery timeline. The awards represent follow-on orders that expand the Marine Corps’ existing Stalker inventory while supporting ongoing modernization of small UAS capabilities.
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