RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP)
Program facts
- Program number
- 451
- Short name
- RQ-7B Shadow
- Acquisition pathway
- Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
- Acquisition category
- ACAT IC
- Acquisition status
- Full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD)
- Lead component
-
Department of the Army
Department of Defense
- Contract awards
- 4
- Contract obligations
- $351,070,650 Since fiscal year 2020
Program details come from the Department of Defense's acquisition program list. Contract figures come from SAM.gov (formerly FPDS).
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | -$114,187 |
| FY2024 | $21,958,920 |
| FY2023 | $106,965,802 |
| FY2022 | $105,780,172 |
| FY2021 | $113,214,573 |
| FY2020 | $3,265,370 |
Top contractors by obligations
| Rank | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Textron Systems Corporation | $328,998,750 | |
| 2 | L3 Technologies, Inc. | $22,071,900 |
Contract awards
About this program
The RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. Operating as an Acquisition Category IC program, the RQ-7B Shadow provides unmanned aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities to the Department of Defense. The program encompasses the acquisition, sustainment, and ongoing development of tactical unmanned aircraft systems and their associated software and hardware components.
Recent contract awards for the RQ-7B Shadow program range from approximately $3.2 million to $709.7 million, with performance periods spanning from three to eight years. The Program Executive Office Aviation serves as the primary contracting authority, issuing a mix of firm-fixed-price delivery orders and fixed-price incentive contracts. Textron Systems Corporation and L3 Technologies, Inc. Communication Systems-West (a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies, Inc.) emerge as the primary prime contractors, with Textron focusing on Contractor Logistics Support and engineering services, while L3 Technologies specializes in production, depot maintenance, and sustainment of software and hardware components. Notable subcontractors include Rotron Incorporated, CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Inc., SV Microwave, and Saft America. The contracts reviewed show no use of set-aside designations, with work performed at various locations including Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Contract types include both delivery orders against existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts and standalone definitive contracts.
Quick answers
What is RQ-7B Shadow?
RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) led by the Department of the Army. It follows the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway and is ACAT IC. Its acquisition status is full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD).
How much has RQ-7B Shadow obligated on contracts?
4 contract awards are coded to RQ-7B Shadow, and their actions have obligated $351,070,650 since fiscal year 2020.
Who are the top contractors on RQ-7B Shadow?
The contractors obligated the most on RQ-7B Shadow contracts are Textron Systems Corporation ($328,998,750) and L3 Technologies, Inc. ($22,071,900).
How much did RQ-7B Shadow obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Contracts coded to RQ-7B Shadow obligated -$114,187 in fiscal year 2025.
What is the latest contract award for RQ-7B Shadow?
The latest contract award coded to RQ-7B Shadow is W58RGZ23F0229, awarded to L3 Technologies, Inc. on March 6, 2023.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every contract award coded to this program
- Funding analysis by contractor, agency, place of performance and set-aside
- Alerts for new awards
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program