Defense company wins major counter-drone programme
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) shares gained 3% on Tuesday after the company announced it had been awarded an approximately $156 million contract by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Secure Transportation.
The sole-source Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement covers the delivery of mobile Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) platforms to support the agency’s national security operations.
Project Solar Shield to protect sensitive nuclear transport
The contract, known as Project Solar Shield, will see Kratos develop and supply mobile systems capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and responding to potentially hostile unmanned aircraft systems in real time.
The Office of Secure Transportation is responsible for the secure movement of nuclear weapons, weapon components and special nuclear materials by ground and air, with the new capability designed to provide protection wherever operational missions are conducted.
Integrated technology solution secured the award
Kratos said it was selected following a technical evaluation that assessed its ability to satisfy operational, safety, scheduling, integration, cost and long-term sustainment requirements.
The company’s proposal combines counter-drone technology, mobile platform engineering, command-and-control systems and advanced power management into a fully integrated solution intended for mission-critical deployments.
Dave Carter, President of Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Support Services Division, said, “Project Solar Shield represents the first large scale government production contract of its kind built around this integrated approach.” He added, “The program demonstrates the value of combining C-UAS, mobile platform design, command-and-control capabilities, and resilient power management into a single mission-ready solution.”
Production begins immediately
Kratos said work on the programme is expected to commence immediately and will be carried out at the company’s secure facilities.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions stock price
