Redwire lands US Marine Corps deal for Stalker Block 30 drones

April 17, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Defense technology company Redwire Corporation has secured more than $20 million in new orders from the US Marine Corps to deliver its advanced navigation variant of the Stalker Block 30 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).

The order is a part of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Robotic Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS) Aircraft Program Management Office (AIR PMO) Family of Small UAS (FoSUAS) Team.

These new systems will provide a significant capability increase and will join the nearly 250 Stalker aircraft already fielded by the US Marine Corps. Each advanced navigation system comprises air vehicles, ISR camera payloads, short-, medium-, and long-range ground control stations, and all associated support kits.

The transition of the US Marine Corps’ Stalker UAS fleet from the existing Stalker Block 30 to Advanced Navigation configurations will support missions in the modern battlefield.

According to Redwire, the advanced navigation Stalker enables enhanced situational awareness, improved target tracking, and greater operational flexibility for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, in highly contested electronic warfare (EW) environments, similar to that being experienced in Ukraine today.

This procurement was completed through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Tailored Logistics Support (TLS) contract, an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) multiaward contract (MAC). Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS) served as the prime contractor for this award.

The Stalker Block 30 is a portable and low-acoustic-signature small uncrewed aircraft system designed to support long-endurance, long-range missions across diverse operating environments. It features network-based avionics capable of supporting multiple payloads simultaneously, enabling rapid integration and flexible configuration depending on mission requirements.

The platform is equipped with fully autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, allowing it to operate without direct operator input during launch and recovery. Powered by either a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a rechargeable battery, the system is designed to sustain extended operations and support complex aerial missions.