Article Posted on : - Dec 06, 2010

A160T unmanned aerial vehicle

ST. LOUIS (BNS): The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded Boeing a $29.9 million contract for Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) services to support the US Marine Corps.

The company will provide two A160T Hummingbird unmanned vehicles, three ground control stations, spares, training and support, a release said.

The A160T aircraft designated for the contract are near completion on the Boeing production line that started up in March at the company's Mesa, Arizona, facility.

In March, Boeing demonstrated the A160T's ability to deliver at least 2,500 pounds of cargo from one simulated forward-operating base to another base 75 nautical miles away in less than the required six hours.

The simulated mission delivered 1,250-pound sling loads over two 150-nautical-mile round trips, with the A160T operating autonomously on a preprogrammed mission.