General Atomics has received an $80 million contract to perform logistic services for the U.S. Army's Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system.

The company secured the contract award after bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Poway, Ca. and Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense expects the work to be completed by Dec. 15, 2017.

$13.2 million in funds were provided at the time of the contract award. The Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is listed as the contracting activity.

The Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system is a follow-up to the Predator. The aircraft has an endurance of 25, and can operate from up to 29,000 feet in the air.

The Gray Eagle can be fitted for a variety of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in addition to convoy protection, Improvised Explosive Device detection, and close air support.

Ukraine's Ukroboronprom to increase armored vehicle production
Kiev, Ukraine (UPI) Dec 15, 2016 - Ukraine's state-owned defense contractor Ukroboronprom announced plans to create a new production workshop for its BTR-3 armored vehicles.

The new site will aim to boost vehicle production, reduce manufacturing costs, and explore new technological opportunities, according to a statement released by the company. Ukroboronprom calls the move an important step forward for armored vehicles produced in the country.

The state-owned venture notes the Kiev Armored Plant has transferred a number of BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine's National Guard. The vehicles are equipped with Deutz BF6M1015CP four-stroke 6 cylinder diesel engines and 3200SP Allison automatic transmissions.

The BTR-3 is an 8x8 wheeled personnel carrier based on Soviet designs. The BTR-3E1 variant is armed with the BM-3 "Shturm" turret. The family of armored vehicles has been exported to Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.