The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Madison, Alabama-based Griffon Aerospace Inc. a USD17.5 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract to provide Outlaw unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication subcomponents and associated training services. Sole-sourced via an internet solicitation with a single offer received, the contract (W58RGZ-26-F-A016) is being managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Specific work performance locations and funding obligations will be allocated on a per-order basis, with an estimated completion date set for 28 February 2027.
The procurement directly supports the operational lifecycle of the Outlaw system, a versatile multipurpose target drone and surrogate platform that has been in service across the US Armed Forces—including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—since 2004. Originally introduced as the low-cost MQM-170A variant powered by a two-stroke piston engine and pusher propeller, the aircraft features an airframe engineered with low-observable characteristics and integrated GPS waypoint navigation capabilities. Capable of carrying payloads up to 18 kg (40 lb), the system accommodates various operational hardware, including infrared enhancers, Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) equipment, precision gunnery retroreflectors, night-lighting kits, smoke generators, and Doppler-radar-based scoring systems.
Operational flexibility remains a core structural feature of the Outlaw platform, allowing for launch via pneumatic catapult or conventional runway takeoff when fitted with an optional tricycle landing gear. Fleet control is maintained through direct line-of-sight units, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) consoles capable of simultaneously managing multiple aircraft, or fully autonomous pre-programmed waypoint flights. For mission assurance and asset safety, the airframe incorporates a configurable automatic flight termination system designed to trigger specific recovery modes—such as glide landings, stalled landings, or parachute deployments—in the event of critical link degradation or GPS disruption.
The latest iteration covered under active procurement frameworks is the Outlaw G2, designated by the US military as the MQM-170C. Superseding the original G1 design after intermediate testing of the twin-boom MQM-170B “Boomer” variant, the MQM-170C features a redesigned high-wing airframe with a T-tail configuration that doubles maximum flight endurance. Serving as the primary aerial target platform for US military air defense artillery training, research, and test activities, the MQM-170C G2 architecture also provides an adaptable, low-cost platform for surveillance sensor development and surrogate aerial reconnaissance missions.
