Textron continues logistical support for tactical drones

HUNT VALLEY, Md., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. military is to receive continued contractor logistical support for Shadow tactical unmanned aerial systems from Textron Systems Support Solutions.

The contract from the U.S. Army is worth $206 million and covers the period from November through 2018.

"Support Solutions has been the chosen CLS contractor for the U.S. Army's CLS contract since 2005, and we are proud to continue supporting their Shadow systems throughout this past decade," said Textron Support Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager Ryan Hazlett. "This contract also supports the U.S. Army's Shadow v2 block upgrade program, under which Textron Systems acts as an end-to-end solution provider."

Textron said services covered under the contract include systems sustainment management, engineering support, contractor logistics support management, field service operations, depot material repair and management and post productions software support.

The Shadow is used by the Army and Marine Corps for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and battle damage assessment. It is also used by Australian and Swedish military forces.

The U.S. Army is teaming the Shadow v2 system with its Apache helicopter fleet for scouting missions within its combat aviation brigades.

Textron has provided logistical support for the Shadow since 2005.