Northrop Grumman announced that it has been awarded a $231.5 million Other Transaction Agreement to develop the Marine Corps’ MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The 24‑month contract will see Northrop build a joint crewed‑uncrewed platform that integrates its advanced mission‑systems with Kratos’ Valkyrie unmanned aerial system, creating a cost‑effective, attritable aircraft that can be fielded quickly.
The award expands Northrop’s uncrewed‑aircraft portfolio and strengthens its partnership with Kratos. By combining the Valkyrie’s runway‑independent, high‑speed, long‑range capabilities with Northrop’s Prism autonomy software and mission‑kit expertise, the joint platform will serve as a “loyal wingman” that augments manned fighters in high‑threat environments. The contract positions Northrop to capture a growing market for integrated crewed‑uncrewed combat solutions and to generate multi‑year revenue streams.
Management emphasized the strategic value of the deal. Krys Moen, Vice President of Advanced Mission Capabilities, said the collaboration “leverages Northrop’s proven sensing and autonomy capabilities to deliver a high‑capability CCA that can be deployed in mass with crewed aircraft.” Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems, added that the partnership “creates a high‑capability platform at a price point that enables the uncrewed systems to be deployed in mass with crewed aircraft.”
The MUX TACAIR program follows the Marine Corps’ spiral approach to capability insertion, allowing incremental feature development and rapid delivery of minimum‑viable products. The contract also aligns with the broader U.S. military CCA initiative, which includes the Air Force’s plans to field thousands of loyal‑wingman aircraft. Northrop’s involvement in the Marine Corps track complements its earlier work on the USAF’s Project Talon (YFQ‑48A) and positions the company to compete across multiple services.
While the contract is a significant win, Northrop acknowledges integration and development challenges. The joint platform will require seamless integration of Kratos’ hardware with Northrop’s software, and the 24‑month performance period will test the company’s ability to deliver on schedule. Nonetheless, the partnership is expected to accelerate Northrop’s entry into the CCA market and provide a foundation for future growth.
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