Special Operations Command gets Viking unmanned systems

An L-3 division will provide an unmanned aircraft system suitable for expeditionary missions to the Special Operations Command under a contract worth up to $250 million over five years.

Under the contract, Geneva Aerospace will supply its Viking 400 unmanned aircraft system to the Special Operations Command, company officials said today. The announcement did not specify the number of systems to be provided.

In addition, Geneva Aerospace will provide training and engineering support for the Special Operation Command’s expeditionary UAS program, the officials said.

The Viking 400 is designed to fly for 10-12 hours and carry a 60-pound payload, according to the company’s Web site. It has a range of 50 kilometers to 75 kilometers.

Earlier this year, the Special Operations Command awarded a 10-year, $5 billion contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide various logistics services to maintain military equipment and information technology infrastructure.