Leidos has accepted a contract to provide unmanned and automated systems support for the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC).
Under the $248-million deal, the company will assist the agency’s existing research missions on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to produce multi-sensor underwater and surface drones.
The firm will also deliver evaluations, hardware and software design, rapid prototyping, integration, land and sea-based testing, recovery, and repair services for covered solutions that are being developed by the center.
Work will be facilitated under the US Department of Defense Information Analysis Center’s multiple-award contract vehicle, which distributes research support and technical data management for military and federal government users.
Leidos will provide the corresponding services over a five-year period.
“This award enables Leidos to accelerate the technology needed to enhance ISR capabilities and harden the foundation for Navy operations,” Leidos Sea Systems SVP Dave Lewis stated.
“We look forward to strengthening our partnership with NIWC PAC and addressing their needs with artificial intelligence and autonomy, integrated sensing, and cyber solutions.”
Recent US Military Autonomy Projects
Leidos’ latest award follows the company’s trial of an autonomous cargo aircraft prototype for the US Navy and Marine Corps in May 2024.
Results from this demonstration will inform the development of a modern drone that can relay tactical supplies across forward-deployed ground forces.
In January 2024, the firm tested a counter-unmanned aerial system solution for the US Army’s Maneuver and Fires Integrated Experiment.
In August 2023, the US Navy awarded Leidos a separate contract to manage, operate, and maintain the Overlord program’s test ships and medium unmanned surface vessels.