Redwire wins multi-year NATO deal

Redwire disclosed two defense-related developments in the space of two days this week, pairing a large tactical drone order from a NATO country with a new subcontract on a DARPA space mission. On May 19, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company said it had secured a multi-year contract valued in the high eight figures to deliver its Penguin Mk3 uncrewed aerial system to an undisclosed NATO ally. (rdw.com) A day later, Voyager Technologies said Redwire had selected it to provide precision measurement hardware for DARPA’s Otter program. Together, the announcements add to Redwire’s defense backlog and show how the company is operating across both tactical uncrewed aircraft and experimental space systems. (marketchameleon.com) ### What exactly did Redwire win from the NATO ally? Redwire said the May 19 award covers delivery of the Penguin Mk3 tactical uncrewed aerial system under a multi-year modernization program for the customer’s tactical UAS capabilities. The company described the contract value only as “high eight-figures” and said it was awarded through a competitive tender by an undisclosed NATO country ally. Steve Adlich, president of Redwire Defense Tech, said in the company announcement that the program reflects Redwire’s approach to tactical UAS modernization for NATO allies. Redwire said the Penguin Mk3 builds on its Penguin family of aircraft and is designed around modular payloads, mission adaptability and growth capacity. (rdw.com) ### What is the Penguin Mk3, and where has Redwire used the platform before? Redwire said the Penguin line is combat-proven and already fielded globally. In coverage following the award, reports citing the company said Redwire has delivered more than 250 Penguin aircraft directly to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. (rdw.com) The company said the new Mk3 version is intended for tactical missions and can be supported through Redwire’s existing European infrastructure. That matters operationally because the contract includes not only aircraft delivery but also long-term program execution and sustainment, according to Redwire’s announcement and follow-on reporting. (rdw.com) ### Why does the European support piece matter in this award? Redwire said execution of the program and long-term sustainment will be supported by its European operations. Simply Wall St, citing the company disclosure, said that structure gives Redwire recurring defense revenue visibility over several years. (msn.com) Aviation Tech Today and Defense Daily both described the award as a multi-year contract tied to a NATO customer, though the company did not identify the country. Redwire’s decision not to name the buyer is consistent across the company release and subsequent trade coverage. (rdw.com) ### How does Voyager fit into Redwire’s DARPA work? Voyager Technologies said on May 20 that it had been awarded a subcontract by Redwire, the prime contractor on DARPA’s Otter program, to provide its Acceleration Measurement System. Voyager said the hardware is designed to deliver delta-V and acceleration data for spacecraft maneuvers. (rdw.com) Satellite Today reported the Otter mission is a Very Low Earth Orbit program intended to gather on-orbit data for air-breathing electric propulsion technologies. Trade reports described the mission as part of DARPA’s effort to demonstrate technologies for an air-breathing spacecraft operating in very low Earth orbit. (defensedaily.com) ### What should readers watch next? Redwire’s next public checkpoint is likely to be further disclosure on the NATO program in company filings or investor materials, because the customer identity and delivery schedule were not released in the May 19 announcement. Voyager, for its part, said its subsystem will support the Otter mission as Redwire advances work as DARPA’s prime contractor. (marketchameleon.com) Redwire’s investor relations site remains the primary place for any follow-up contract details, while Voyager’s May 20 statement provides the named next participant on the Otter effort. (ir.redwirespace.com) (satellitetoday.com)