SPACE FORCE TURNS TO LEONARDO DRS FOR SENSOR PROTOTYPE WORK

Leonardo DRS has been awarded an Other Transaction Agreement for Prototype by the US Space Force, covering further development of sensor technology intended to help defence systems detect, identify, track and target fast-moving threats. The company describes the work as supporting US space superiority and space control missions; no contract value was disclosed in the announcement.

WHAT AN OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENT IS

An Other Transaction Agreement is a contracting authority that allows US defence agencies to award work outside the standard Federal Acquisition Regulation process. It is used mainly for prototype and research and development efforts where speed matters, and has become a common vehicle for space programmes seeking to move technology from concept to demonstration faster than a conventional procurement allows. That the Space Force chose this route indicates the award is aimed at prototype maturation rather than a production commitment.

WHERE THIS FITS IN LEONARDO DRS’S PORTFOLIO

The company positions the award within a wider infrared and electro-optical sensing business that already supports US and allied government ground, sea, air and space missions, including counter-uncrewed aerial systems and maritime and ground force protection work. John Baylouny, Leonardo DRS president and chief executive, and Jerry Hathaway, senior vice president and general manager of the company’s electro-optical and infrared systems unit, both framed the award as building on existing sensing and manufacturing capability rather than opening a new line of business.