WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Northrop Grumman Systems has received a $108.1 million US Navy contract to manufacture ten Fire Scout MQ-8C drones, the Department of Defense announced.
"Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation [of] San Diego, California, is being issued a $108.1 million… contract for the procurement of 10 Fire Scout MQ-8C unmanned air systems," the announcement stated on Friday.
According to Defense Department documents made public by The Intercept in October 2015, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) uses Fire Scout drones as part of its secret war against enemies across Africa operated out of concealed installations in Somalia.
The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is a drone developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the US military that provides reconnaissance aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces.