General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s RUAG Aerospace Services to offer the former’s Predator B multi-mission remotely piloted aircraft to the German military. “GA-ASI’s establishment of a working relationship with RUAG represents a strategic commitment by both companies to support the German armed forces with a proven, affordable, and responsive solution to Germany’s [intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance] and defense requirements,” said Neal Blue, GA-ASI chairman and CEO. Under the MOU, RUAG will perform roles like assisting in the adaptation of hardware to German national standards, supporting German airworthiness certification, and providing logistical and maintenance support once the Predator Bs are delivered. The US Air Force already operates the Predator B, which it calls the MQ-9 Reaper. So do the Royal Air Force and Italian air force.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.