U.S. company AAI was awarded a contract, worth $31.1 million if all options are exercised, from the U.S. Defense Department's Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation to support Army National Guard training.

AAI, a developer of military training systems, will provide 25 of its Shadow Crew Trainers and interactive multimedia instruction for National Guard units operating the RQ-7B Shadow Tactical UAS.

AAI's Shadow training systems are part of its suite of training aids, devices, simulators and simulations that provide UAS crews and aircraft operators battlefield intelligence training.

"Our Shadow training aids, devices, simulators and simulations training suites will help National Guard war fighters increase readiness by enabling them to train without dedicated airspace and operational equipment at armories and regional flight training centers," Bob Peters, AAI vice president of training, said in a statement.

"The capability to sustain readiness is critical to the Army National Guard's mission, whether in support of the global war on terror, border security or response to natural disasters here at home."