Global Ordnance and Sparkz disclose plans for 500,000 US-made UAV batteries a year
The companies have outlined plans for US$25 million manufacturing lines and initial deliveries in 2027 as Washington tightens restrictions on Chinese UAV components.
USAF calls on Northrop Grumman for CMBRE kits
Portable test equipment is used in pre-flight and maintenance checks
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $75 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity requirements contract from the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, for Common Munition Built-in-tester Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) units including AN/GYQ-79A CMBRE Plus, ADU-890/E, ADU-891-(V) 1/E and ADU-891-(V) 3/E.
This contract provides for the program management support, sustaining engineering, repairs, consumable parts depot, and production of CMBRE systems, initial spares kits and associated items belonging to the CMBRE configuration.
Portable CMBRE test gear initiates built-in test (BIT) checks, reports BIT results and uploads and downloads flight software during pre-flight and maintenance checks.
Work will be performed in Northridge, California, and is expected to be completed by 29 October 2026.
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