In a significant move to bolster the capabilities of a key military asset, Amentum has secured a new contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command. The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Support contract, an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award, carries a maximum potential value of $995 million over a five-year ordering period.
The agreement focuses on sustaining and modernizing the Air Force’s fleet of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As a cornerstone of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike operations, the Reaper’s operational readiness is a critical component of U.S. military strategy. Amentum will provide comprehensive support, including deploying specialized personnel, advanced weapons loading strategies, and tailored aerospace ground equipment solutions at operating sites both within the United States and globally.
Company leadership emphasized their deep-rooted expertise in the unmanned systems domain. “Our unmanned aerial solutions are engineered to ensure the MQ-9 Reaper remains a formidable force in complex, dynamic environments,” stated Mark Walter, president of Amentum’s Engineering and Technology business. He highlighted the company’s work on innovative operational constructs like Satellite Launch and Recovery (SLR), which expands the aircraft’s versatility and range.
This legacy of expertise was a key factor in the award. “Amentum is uniquely positioned to enhance the operational excellence of the MQ-9 Reaper,” added Mark Evans, senior vice president of Modernization and Training. “Our hands-on experience dates back to early platforms like the MQ-1 Predator and RQ-4 Global Hawk, providing us with unparalleled technical insights and operational proficiency that we now apply to the global MQ-9 fleet.”
The contract underscores the ongoing importance of unmanned systems in maintaining a technological edge. By ensuring the MQ-9 remains mission-ready and capable of integrating new technologies, Amentum’s work directly supports combat readiness and advanced training for Air Force personnel. The award also solidifies Amentum’s role as a leading partner in the modernization and sustainment of critical defense platforms for the U.S. military.
