Northrop Grumman and Kratos Win USMC MUX TACAIR Contract

This article is based on an official press release from Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman and Kratos Selected for USMC MUX TACAIR Program

Northrop Grumman has been competitively awarded a contracts by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR). The project, formally classified as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, aims to field a sophisticated “loyal wingman” system capable of operating in high-threat environments alongside manned fighters.

Announced on January 8, 2026, the agreement positions Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions serving as the key subcontractor. The team will integrate Northrop’s advanced mission systems into the flight-proven Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie airframe. This “best of breed” strategy is designed to accelerate the deployment of automation systems for the Marine Corps.

According to the announcement, the initial period of performance is set for 24 months with a contract value of approximately $231.5 million. The program’s primary objective is to rapidly develop, integrate, and field an uncrewed aircraft system (UAV) that meets the Marine Corps’ unique requirements for expeditionary operations.

Integrating “Prism” with the Valkyrie Airframe

The partnerships leverages the specific strengths of both defense firms. Northrop Grumman will act as the Lead Systems Integrator, providing the “Advanced Mission Kit.” This package includes sensors, communications, and software-defined technologies driven by “Prism,” Northrop’s proprietary autonomy software.

Kratos Defense will supply the XQ-58A Valkyrie, a stealthy, high-performance uncrewed aerial system that has already demonstrated its capabilities in flight. By utilizing an existing airframe, the team aims to bypass the long lead times associated with clean-sheet aircraft designs.

The Role of Software-Defined Autonomy

Northrop Grumman’s “Prism” software is central to the program’s adaptability. Described as an open-architecture system, Prism allows for the rapid integration of third-party modules or “apps.” This plug-and-play capability ensures that the Marine Corps can swap mission profiles, switching from electronic warfare to surveillance, for example, without needing to rewrite core flight code.

In a statement regarding the award, Krys Moen, Vice President at Northrop Grumman, emphasized the speed and reduced risk of this approach:

“This partnership offers a low risk, expedited path to mission capability. Combining a proven airframe with our proven mission systems avoids the delays inherent in a clean-sheet design.”

Strategic Capabilities for Expeditionary Warfare

The MUX TACAIR program is closely aligned with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 strategy, which prioritizes dispersed operations and “Stand-in Forces” in the Indo-Pacific region. A critical requirement for this program is runway independence.

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is designed to be launched via rocket assist from a rail system, which can be mounted on trucks or ships, and recovered via parachute. This capability eliminates reliance on traditional airfields, which are viewed as vulnerable static targets in modern conflict scenarios. The aircraft boasts high-subsonic speeds of approximately Mach 0.85 and a range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles, allowing it to serve as a forward sensor node or “quarterback” that relays targeting data to F-35s and ground units.

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems, highlighted the economic and operational advantages of the platform:

“The integration results in a high-capability CCA at a price point that enables the uncrewed systems to be deployed in mass.”

Program Timeline and Future Development

The immediate 24-month contract period will focus on integrating the Northrop mission kit into the Valkyrie airframe and conducting a series of flight tests. The program is structured around a “spiral” development model, where capabilities are added incrementally. Initial operational focuses are expected to include surveillance and electronic warfare, with lethal strike capabilities planned as the autonomy software matures.

The ultimate operational goal is to field a capability that can be deployed with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) before the end of the decade, providing organic air support that does not require large aircraft carriers.

AirPro News Analysis

The selection of the Kratos Valkyrie for the MUX TACAIR program underscores a significant divergence between Air Force and Marine Corps acquisition strategies for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). While the U.S. Air Force has largely focused on runway-dependent systems for its CCA increments, the Marine Corps has remained steadfast in its requirement for runway independence.

By choosing a rail-launched, parachute-recoverable system, the USMC is effectively future-proofing its air support against runway denial tactics. Furthermore, the “attritable” nature of the Valkyrie, meaning it is low-cost enough to be lost in combat without catastrophic financial or strategic impact, aligns perfectly with the need for mass in contested environments. This contract validates the industry’s shift toward separating the airframe commodity from the high-value software and sensor packages, a trend that is likely to define the next generation of uncrewed military-aircraft aviation.

Sources

• Northrop Grumman