Naval Aviation

The Department of War’s Nov. 4 notice reports awarded contracts and modifications, led by a $122.45 million Lockheed Martin Trident effort, a $119.65 million Boeing P-8A retrofit, and a $61.05 million Avum software modernization award. These are not open solicitations; contractors can use the awards to track incumbent work, funding conditions, and potential follow-on demand.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division will convene government, industry, and academic participants on December 8–9, 2026, in California, Maryland, to discuss autonomy and AI capabilities for Naval Aviation. The Government is considering prototype efforts using Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022, but the event notice is not a solicitation or award commitment.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's FY2026 Q4 forecast flags major FY2027 recompetes for TH-73, T-45, and T-6/T-34 sustainment, each valued at $500M–$1.5B, plus a Cyber Warfare Services IDIQ at $500M–$1B. The cyber final RFP is the near-term action item.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract for three MQ-25A Stingray aircraft, increasing the total procurement to 14. This shift from development to production underscores the Navy's ongoing commitment to advancing its unmanned aerial systems capabilities.

The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command is seeking industry proposals for autonomous combat drones as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. With a target unit cost of $30 million, this initiative signals significant opportunities for defense contractors in unmanned aerial systems and carrier-capable technologies.

The U.S. Navy has awarded **Castelion** a **$105 million** contract to develop its **Blackbeard hypersonic missile system** for the **F/A-18** fleet. This investment reflects the Department of Defense's commitment to advancing hypersonic technologies, enhancing the Navy's combat capabilities and operational readiness.