Navy to buy more Blackjack UAVs

130210-N-NB538-168 GULF OF MEXICO (Feb. 10, 2013) The RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) is recovered with the flight recovery apparatus cable aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) after its first flight at sea. Mesa Verde is underway conducting exercises. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sabrina Fine/Released)

Insitu has been awarded a $78 million contract modification for additional RQ-21A Blackjack tactical UAVs.

The contract, which taps into both Navy and Marine Corps funds, calls for Insitu to deliver six low-rate initial production Lot IV Blackjacks. Delivery is expected to be completed by September 2016.

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued the contract.

In May, the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 (VMU-2) flight-tested the RQ-21A in what it described as “a combat area of responsibility” in Afghanistan, according to a report in AINOnline, citing NAVAIR. VMU-2 plans to use the UAV for ISR missions.