The U.S. Navy has awarded Platform Aerospace a $12.9 million contract modification for the delivery of long-endurance unmanned Vanilla aircraft.
According to Defence Blog, the contract covers the Vanilla drones, as well as support hardware, spare parts, engineering services, and logistics support through August 2026.
The Vanilla UAS is a ground-launched drone designed to remain airborne for several days, an attribute that has drawn attention from military forces around the world, according to Platform Aerospace.
The company said tests have demonstrated record flight endurance. According to them, the Vanilla can remain over a target for days or travel thousands of kilometers in a single flight. This means a single drone can cover vast stretches of land or ocean in one mission.
The Vanilla can carry multispectral imaging sensors used for remote sensing and surveillance, giving operators the ability to collect imagery across different wavelengths, including infrared and visible spectrums.
The drone can also be equipped with communications relay equipment, effectively turning the aircraft into an airborne signal node. This capability can help maintain links with tactical units operating in difficult terrain or in areas where communications infrastructure is limited.
The U.S. Navy contract comes as long-endurance systems become increasingly important, particularly for maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications support missions.
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