L3 wins $454M 5-year deal to supply US Army with drone sensors

10 Oct 2018

WESCAM MX-10D systems destined for US Army's Shadow UAV Program; the largest ISR contract in L3's history.

US company L3 Technologies has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract valued at up to $454 million from the US Army to supply its next-generation WESCAM MX-10D electro-optical/infrared and laser designator sensor suite.

These ISR systems operate from the Army’s Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Shadow UAV (drone) and enable collection of critical information for air-ground maneuver teams. This is a five-year contract, with an option for the US Army to extend for an additional five years.

Christopher E. Kubasik, L3’s Chairman, CEO and President, commented, “This win secures L3’s prime position on a major platform in the UAV space and expands our growth opportunities for international EO/IR users considering surveillance and targeting upgrades.

'C6ISR' technologies

“The WESCAM imaging and targeting turrets deliver high-precision situational awareness to our customers to help them overcome emerging regional and global threats. We are developing new multi-domain C6ISR technologies [standing for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber-Defense and Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance] to support of the US Army’s Modernization Strategy.”

“The MX-10D is proven and successfully operational on the Shadow,” added Jeff Miller, Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ISR Systems. “This win secures L3’s prime position on a major platform in the UAV space and expands our growth opportunities for international EO/IR users considering surveillance and targeting upgrades.”

The company said it will continue to invest in research and development as the US Army will be evaluating options for its next-generation Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) program, the proposed replacement for Shadow, targeted for 2025.

L3 Technologies is an agile innovator and leading provider of global ISR, communications and networked systems, and electronic systems for military, homeland security and commercial aviation customers. With headquarters in New York City and approximately 31,000 employees worldwide, L3 develops advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions in pilot training, aviation security, night vision and EO/IR, weapons, maritime systems and space. The company reported 2017 sales of $9.6 billion.