Redwire delivers Stalker drones to U.S. Marine Corps in $20M deal

Redwire has secured more than $20 million in awards during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 to supply its Stalker unmanned aircraft systems to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ small tactical drone office, the company said.

The order includes the Marine Corps’ first purchase of Redwire’s Advanced Navigation version of the Stalker Block 30 drone, adding to the more than 250 Stalker aircraft already in service, according to the company’s announcement.

The purchase orders support the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office, known as PMA-263, and were issued during the opening quarter of FY2026. The acquisition was processed through the Defense Logistics Agency’s Tailored Logistics Support contract, while Atlantic Diving Supply acted as the prime contractor.

Redwire did not disclose how many systems are covered by the award, but said each Advanced Navigation package includes aircraft, intelligence and surveillance camera payloads, ground control stations for short-, medium-, and long-range operations, and associated support kits.

“Advanced Navigation is critical for long-range reconnaissance missions where drones must operate in contested, GPS-denied environments over vast distances,” said Steve Adlich, president of Redwire Defense Tech. “Our Stalker UAS has a 20-year legacy of combat-proven reliability, mission-driven performance, and adaptability. We are proud to support PMA263 as they modernize small UAS capabilities for the Marine Corps and strengthen readiness across key mission sets.”

The new order also begins the Marine Corps’ shift from its current Stalker Block 30 fleet to the updated navigation configuration, which is built for missions in areas where satellite signals may be jammed or unavailable. That capability has become increasingly important as drones face heavier electronic warfare threats on today’s battlefields. In such environments, GPS disruption can degrade navigation, surveillance coverage, and targeting accuracy, making resilient guidance systems a priority for operators.

The Stalker is a small tactical drone used mainly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Its role is to give units a live aerial view of the battlefield, helping commanders monitor movement, track potential targets, and extend visibility beyond what ground troops can see.

Redwire said the Advanced Navigation variant improves situational awareness and target tracking while giving operators more flexibility during long-range reconnaissance flights. Those upgrades are especially relevant for missions that must continue in contested electromagnetic environments. The company pointed directly to conditions similar to those seen in Ukraine, where electronic warfare has become a routine feature of combat operations and drones regularly face jamming and signal interference.

With more than 250 Stalker aircraft already in Marine Corps service, the latest award further expands a platform that Redwire says has a two-decade combat record. While the company did not provide a delivery timeline, the new orders indicate that fielding of the upgraded systems is now moving forward.