Leonardo DRS Extends Naval Aviation’s Communications Edge With $39.6 Million JTT-X Production Award
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced today that its Airborne and Intelligence Systems business unit has been awarded a $39.6 million contract by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for the production and delivery of Joint Tactical Terminal Transceiver (JTT-X) units. The firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract includes non-recurring engineering, production, aircraft integration, qualification, and production support for the EA-18G Growler aircraft.
The award supports the Navy’s Global Lightning initiative with continued investment in resilient communications, enhanced threat warning, and improved situational awareness for Naval Aviation operating in contested and complex mission environments.
JTT-X is a critical upgrade to the Navy’s primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (PACE) layered communications architecture. As a Hybrid SATCOM Terminal, JTT-X is designed to communicate across a variety of government and commercial network pathways, including proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) satellite communications architectures. This capability provides resilient, flexible, and survivable communications options for Naval Aviation missions.
JTT-X is designed with a modular open systems approach (MOSA) including 3U VPX expansion slots for technology insertion and future capability growth. DRS’ SOSA-aligned (Sensor Open Systems Architecture), Transceiver Crypto Module (XCM3) cards provide both Embedded Crypto Module (ECM) and UHF secure tactical comms capability. The ECM has been developed to the latest NSA SERD 2.0 High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryption (HAIPE) standards.
“This award is an important milestone for our team and reflects the Navy’s continued confidence in Leonardo DRS to deliver secure, resilient communications for Naval Aviation,” said Larry Ezell, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems. “JTT-X strengthens the layered communications architecture aircrews rely on in highly contested environments. We are proud to continue supporting the EA-18G community with technology that enhances threat awareness, improves situational understanding, and supports mission success.”
Leonardo DRS provides platform-agnostic tactical terminals and beyond-line-of-sight communications solutions that support enhanced situational awareness across air, land and maritime operations. To learn more about the company’s Joint Tactical Terminal family and Integrated Broadcast Service capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com/what-we-do/products-and-services/joint-tactical-terminal-integrated-broadcast-service-jtt-ibs/.
About Leonardo DRS
Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) is at the forefront of developing transformative defense technologies using its proven agility and delivering innovative solutions for U.S. national security customers and allies worldwide. We specialize in rapidly providing high-performance, multi-domain capabilities across next-generation advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion. Our reputation as a trusted provider is built on a continuous focus on practical innovation, delivering quality, and meeting our customers’ most demanding mission requirements. For further information on our complete range of capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements reflect current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements which include contract values, contract performance and our development and production of products are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Leonardo DRS Investor Relations Contact
Camilla Yanushevsky
Director, Investor Relations
+1 571 309 8216
Camilla.Yanushevsky@drs.com
Leonardo DRS Media Contact
Charles Jones
Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications
+1 571-737-8800
charles.jones@drs.com
