Orbital Sciences To Procure 24 Supersonic Sea-Skimming Targets For US Navy, Qatar

The US Department of defense announced a $67.5 million worth contract awarded to Orbital Sciences Corp. to procure 24 supersonic target air vehicles for the Navy, and the government of Qatar, in addition to providing D6AC long lead steel for Japan.

“Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a $67,579,333 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost contract to procure 24 full-rate production Lot 11 GQM-163A Coyote Supersonic Sea Skimming Target base vehicles and spares for the Navy; and the government of Qatar, as well as D6AC long lead steel for the government of Japan,” the statement says.

Work is expected to be completed in June 2021. 

The GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea skimming target is designed to provide a cost-effective target to simulate supersonic sea-skimming and other emerging supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, support research into ship defense systems, and support fleet training exercises.

According to Orbital, GQM-163A Coyote is capable of speeds of Mach 2 or greater and altitudes from 13 to 66 feet above the surface of the ocean. The target drone has been operational with the Navy since 2005.

Fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018 weapons procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $67,579,333 are being obligated at time of award, $222,035 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($67,461,135; 99.83 percent); the governments of Qatar ($97,597; 0.14 percent); and Japan ($20,601; 0.03 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program, the statement added.