Textron Systems to Equip US Navy Littoral Combat Ships with more Aerosonde UAS.

According to a PR published by Textron Systems on November 18, 2024, the subsidiary of Textron Inc., has been awarded a new task order worth up to $47 million by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This contract will provide Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (COCO) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) services to support three additional Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) deploying to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. This marks a continuation of Textron Systems’ pivotal role in providing UAS support to the Navy, building on a 2023 contract that extended services to seven other vessels. With this new task order, the Aerosonde® UAS system will now support a total of 10 Navy ships.
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The Aerosonde UAS from Textron Systems empowers Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships with advanced ISR capabilities. (Picture source: US Navy)

Textron Systems will deploy its battle-proven Aerosonde UAS, along with highly trained personnel, to deliver advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The contract leverages Aerosonde’s multi-mission payload configurations to enhance mission overwatch and extended range reconnaissance for naval operations.

The Aerosonde UAS has demonstrated operational success aboard various ship classes, including Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB)-4 and ESB-5, two DDG-class destroyers, and multiple LCS vessels. Notably, in December 2023, the Aerosonde completed its first operational flight from the LCS-28 USS Savannah.

The Aerosonde UAS boasts a remarkable track record, with over 700,000 flight hours amassed during more than a decade of global operations. Its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing configurations support diverse mission profiles, making it an indispensable asset for maritime ISR missions. The system's ability to carry a range of advanced payloads—including sensors for intelligence gathering, targeting, and overwatch—enhances its operational value in high-stakes environments.

In 2024, the maritime security landscape is increasingly defined by escalating conflicts and asymmetric threats. Regions such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and South China Sea have become focal points for tension, where global trade routes intersect with geopolitical rivalries and unconventional warfare. Against this backdrop, Textron Systems' recent $47 million contract to deploy its Aerosonde Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) aboard three additional U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) signals a critical advancement in addressing these challenges.

The Aerosonde UAS is more than an ISR platform—it represents an operational lifeline for naval forces operating in contested and high-risk waters. Its deployment in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees volatile areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman, comes at a pivotal time. These waters are witnessing heightened threats, including attacks on commercial and military vessels by non-state actors such as Iran-backed Houthi rebels. These adversaries employ drones, missiles, and fast attack boats, presenting unconventional challenges that demand real-time intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

The Aerosonde UAS is more than an ISR platform—it represents an operational lifeline for naval forces operating in contested and high-risk waters. Its deployment in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees volatile areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman, comes at a pivotal time. These waters are witnessing heightened threats, including attacks on commercial and military vessels by non-state actors such as Iran-backed Houthi rebels. These adversaries employ drones, missiles, and fast attack boats, presenting unconventional challenges that demand real-time intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

As tensions grow in the Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea has also become a flashpoint. China's expansionist policies and aggressive maneuvers in the region are forcing the U.S. Navy to respond with agility and technological superiority. The Aerosonde UAS, with its ability to operate from the agile Littoral Combat Ships, provides the flexibility and extended reach required to monitor and respond to such threats effectively. This capability aligns with the Navy’s broader strategic objectives of maintaining freedom of navigation and countering adversarial actions in contested zones.