Rafael partners with Parsons for maritime drone defense tender

Rafael USA, the US subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael Systems, has teamed up with Parsons Corporation to compete for the US Marine Corps contract aimed at protecting maritime installations worldwide from small drone attacks. The project seeks technology that can detect and neutralize drones that pose a threat to Marine Corps installations.

Senior officials from both companies told Breaking Defense’s website that the joint proposal will focus on the Rafael Drone Dome anti-drone system, with Parsons as prime contractor responsible for program management, maintenance and systems integration.

A Marine Corps spokesperson told the website that the deadline for submitting bids for this procurement was April 22, with plans to announce the winning supplier in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024. The spokesperson did not specify the number of participating companies or their identities. However, given the Marine Corps’ recent strong interest in counter-UAS technologies and the urgent need highlighted in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, Breaking Defense estimates that several suppliers are likely to express interest in this procurement.