Outlaw unmanned aircraft system. Photo: DVIDS, as credited in the original article.
The US Department of War has announced plans to procure Outlaw unmanned aircraft systems, associated support equipment, and services from US-based Griffon Aerospace. The procurement is intended to expand the military’s inventory of low-cost unmanned aircraft and accelerate its ability to respond to potential future conflicts.
$133 Million IDIQ Contract Marks Another US Procurement
The latest order is structured under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a total ceiling of approximately $133 million. It follows the US military’s $68 million procurement of the Outlaw 3 unmanned aircraft in June. Although the latest announcement did not disclose the quantity or specific variant being acquired, the repeated purchases highlight the military’s interest in the Outlaw’s low cost, ease of production, and rapid delivery.
From Low-Cost Target Drone to Broader Combat Applications
The Outlaw originally evolved from the MQM-170 series and was primarily developed as a low-cost target drone for live-fire exercises, missile testing, and tactical evaluations. However, when the US military announced its procurement of the latest Outlaw 3 variant in June, it said the system would be employed in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, suggesting that its operational role may be expanding. In addition to its traditional target-drone missions, the platform could also be used for radar decoy and electronic warfare jamming missions, providing the US military with more diverse low-cost unmanned capabilities.
Expanding Low-Cost Drone Inventories to Accelerate Readiness
The contract is intended to rapidly expand the US military’s inventory of low-cost unmanned aircraft in preparation for potential future conflicts. It will be managed by the US Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, with newly produced equipment expected to begin delivery under the contract framework in the coming months. The contract is scheduled for completion by December 31 this year, supporting the accelerated fielding of the capability.
Originally published by Little Liao in Asia Horizon Review on Medium