The US Army has awarded HII’s Mission Technologies a five-year task order to research new airdrop and combat-feeding technologies for soldier sustainment.
The company will develop cargo and personnel airdrop technologies for precision-guided and conventional aerial delivery systems operating from manned and unmanned aircraft.
The work will focus on improving the reliability, safety, and interoperability of airdrop equipment while advancing sensing technologies, autonomous capabilities, and cybersecurity protections against environmental and operational threats.
HII did not disclose the value of the order.
“Our troops’ safety and mission success depend on their ability to stay supplied and mobile even in the most difficult and austere environments,” Todd Gentry, president of Mission Technologies’ All-Domain Operations group, said.
US Autonomous Resupply
HII’s task order comes as the army funds additional systems designed to deliver supplies to dispersed forces without relying solely on conventional ground resupply.
In September, the US Army awarded Rune Technologies $4.1 million to expand its TyrOS logistics software across the 1st Cavalry Division for autonomous operations. TyrOS can match supply needs with unmanned aircraft and ground vehicles.
Earlier, in July, the service selected BLADE’s Dire WOLF unmanned ground vehicle for Project Sustainment, which seeks to automate resupply missions and reduce soldiers’ exposure to danger. The hybrid vehicle can carry thousands of pounds of supplies.
In March, the army awarded SURVICE Engineering a production contract for Joint Autonomous Aerial Resupply Systems. The system is designed to provide commanders with an autonomous aerial cargo delivery option for forces operating in dispersed environments.