Textron Secures $64 Million Deal to Deliver Drone-Based ISR Support for US Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleets

Textron Systems has been awarded a $64 million contract by the US Navy to provide cutting-edge drone-enabled intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support for ships in the Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleets. This move highlights the growing reliance on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to enhance maritime operational capabilities.

The contracts adopt a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) model, where Textron Systems will deploy its Aerosonde small expeditionary UAS and provide trained personnel to support maritime ISR tasks. This arrangement allows the Navy to focus on its mission while Textron manages the system's full lifecycle, including operations, maintenance, and technology integration.

Expanding ISR Coverage for Navy Fleets

The bulk of the $64 million funding—$47 million—will go toward supporting three littoral combat ships (LCS) operating in the 5th Fleet, which oversees key maritime zones including the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The remaining funds will support ISR capabilities for a single vessel in the 6th Fleet, responsible for operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

This initiative expands Textron's ISR coverage for the Navy to a total of 11 ships, spanning a range of vessels such as LCS, Expeditionary Sea Base ships, and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The integration of the Aerosonde UAS offers the Navy enhanced operational flexibility, particularly for missions requiring extended situational awareness in complex maritime environments.

Textron’s Aerosonde: A Versatile UAS Solution

The Aerosonde UAS, a centerpiece of this contract, is designed for versatility and endurance, making it a valuable asset for ISR operations. It is available in four configurations tailored to meet specific mission requirements. The drone's specifications are as follows:

• Wingspan: Up to 14 feet (4 meters)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
• Operational Range: 75 nautical miles (86 miles/139 kilometers)
• Maximum Altitude: 18,200 feet (5,547 meters)
• Top Speed: 65 knots (75 miles/120 kilometers per hour)
• Flight Endurance: Approximately 20 hours

Equipped with advanced mission payloads, the Aerosonde can perform a variety of ISR tasks, including real-time reconnaissance, surveillance of maritime routes, and intelligence gathering in high-stakes operational zones. Its compact size and adaptability make it suitable for deployment on ships with limited space and resources.

A Strategic Partnership

David Phillips, Senior Vice President of Air, Land, and Sea Systems at Textron, emphasized the benefits of the COCO model, stating, “The flexibility in a COCO mission allows the Navy to extend their capabilities while we as the contractor manage the full life cycle of the system, ultimately resulting in greater efficiency and reliability.”

Textron's extensive experience with COCO operations has proven invaluable, as the company has provided ISR services using the Aerosonde UAS for over a decade. By shouldering responsibilities such as spares, repairs, and human factors integration, Textron enables the Navy to concentrate on mission-critical tasks without being burdened by the logistical complexities of UAS management.

Enhancing Naval Operations with Technology

This partnership underscores the increasing importance of unmanned systems in modern naval warfare. The Aerosonde UAS not only enhances situational awareness but also supports a range of missions from surveillance to disaster response, making it a vital tool for the Navy’s operational objectives in strategic maritime regions.

The Textron-Navy collaboration signifies a step forward in leveraging technology for maritime security, ensuring that the 5th and 6th Fleets remain equipped to handle evolving challenges across their respective theaters of operation.