The US Air Force has awarded a $71m contract to Northrop Grumman to provide communication sensors to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Under the contract, the company will provide MQ-1 unmanned aerial system communication intelligence airborne signals intelligence payload -1 C scaled sensors for the UAV.

Reconnaissance Systems Wing in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory, San Jose, California.