Remotec will update the U.S. Navy’s fleet of bomb disposal drones under a $368.8 million contract that James Heverin, director of the Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) company, said will support military first responders in unmanned technology usage.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the project for 103 MK3 Series RONS, or remote ordnance neutralization systems, work for which will include depot-level repairs that are designed to extend the robots’ lifecycle, Northrop said Wednesday.
“Remotec is pleased to build upon the relationship we have had with the Navy since 1988 and proud to continue providing unmanned ground vehicle capabilities (for military first responders), ” Heverin said.
In 1988, Remotec won the contract for the Remote Control Transporter unmanned platform, the design for which the current RONS robot is based on.
According to Northrop, the sole-source indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity RONS contract has a potential to reach 12 million if all options are exercised.
The company indicated that depending on the repair and enhancement costs, one option could allow for the procurement of new equipment under a new, separate contract.
