Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has received a $156 million contract from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to provide mobile counter-unmanned aircraft systems for the Office of Secure Transportation’s Project Solar Shield.
The sole-source, single-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract will support the NNSA Office of Secure Transportation (OST), Kratos announced July 21. OST is responsible for the secure ground and air transport of nuclear weapons, weapon components and special nuclear materials.
The award comes as federal agencies increasingly examine ways to protect critical missions from the growing availability and sophistication of drones.
Under Project Solar Shield, Kratos will provide mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) platforms designed to detect, track, identify and respond to potentially hostile drones during OST missions. Unlike fixed-site air defense systems, the mobile platforms are intended to accompany transportation operations and provide protection wherever OST missions take place.
According to Kratos, the systems will integrate commercial and government C-UAS technologies with command-and-control software, vehicle platforms and power management systems to provide a layered defense against unmanned aerial threats.
The company said it was selected following a technical evaluation that considered cost, schedule, operational requirements, safety, system integration and long-term sustainment.
In announcing the award, Kratos said the program represents a significant milestone for its integrated mobile C-UAS offering and is intended to provide OST with a modular capability that can be adapted as mission requirements evolve.
Work under the contract is expected to begin immediately at secure Kratos facilities. Neither the company nor NNSA released additional details about the program, citing security considerations.