AUSA 2019: USSOCOM increases MALET funding
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has increased the ceiling on its contract from $15 million to $93 million to support modifications and capability enhancements to its Medium-altitude, Long-endurance Tactical (MALET) aircraft.
According to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI), the funding increase is in response to the expanded payload capacity of the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range UAS.
The increased funding ceiling will ensure that USSOCOM has the ability to rapidly develop, procure and field new capabilities, as well as conduct studies, modifications and test events with their fleet of Gray Eagle ERs.
David Alexander, president, GA-ASI, said: ‘We’re helping USSOCOM adjust to the changing threat environment and mission needs. Gray Eagle ER’s significant increase in endurance, range and capacity to carry internal and external payloads provides USSOCOM and other users with a platform capable of hosting multiple capabilities simultaneously.’
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