Insitu awarded Blackjack and ScanEagle contract

Insitu has received an order for RQ-21A Blackjack and ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the US Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

The US$12.5m modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract was awarded by US Naval Air Systems Command on June 17. This modification increases the ceiling to provide additional air vehicles, support equipment and spares for both of these two types of UAS.

ScanEagle prepares for launch in Afghanistan [US Navy/Lt Charity Edgar]
A ScanEagle is prepared for launch in Helmand, Afghanistan on April 14, 2016. US Navy/Lt Charity Edgar

Work is expected to be completed in June 2022. No funds were initially released at the time of the award but will be obligated on individual future orders as they are issued.

AirForces Intelligence data confirms that there are presently three operators of the RQ-21: the Philippine Air Force, US Marine Corps (USMC) and US Navy. The latter employs at least seven examples of the NRQ-21A version of the type. In terms of FMS customers, the platform has been ordered for use by the air arms of Canada; Oman; Poland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recent years.

The ScanEagle UAS is more widely operated by military customers across the world. As of June 20, 2021, examples of the type have been delivered to the air arms of Afghanistan; Australia (leased); Colombia; Iraq; Japan; Kenya; Lebanon; Spain; Tunisia; the UK; the US and Yemen. In terms of new customers, the platform has been ordered for use by the militaries of Indonesia; Malaysia; the Philippines and Vietnam.