US Navy Awards Corvid Technologies $21.1M Contract Modification
The US Navy has awarded Corvid Technologies LLC a $21.15 million contract modification to support the design, manufacture, and delivery of short and medium range sub orbital vehicles, strengthening missile test and evaluation capabilities for both the US Navy and Japan.
According to a US Department of Defense contract announcement, the modification applies to an existing contract and expands ongoing work tied to advanced target vehicles used in missile defense, weapons testing, and sensor evaluation programs. The effort is managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division, White Sands Detachment.
Contract Scope and Technical Work
Under the modified contract, Corvid Technologies will design, manufacture, and deliver sub orbital vehicles that replicate realistic threat profiles. These systems are typically used as targets during live fire missile defense tests, radar evaluations, and integrated weapons trials.
The contract also covers delivery of ground test hardware, special test equipment, materials, and a full range of engineering, test, and launch support services. Such capabilities are essential for validating interceptor performance, command and control systems, and sensor networks under operationally realistic conditions.
Sub orbital target vehicles are a core component of US missile defense testing, enabling the Navy and its partners to simulate short and medium range ballistic missile trajectories without placing payloads into orbit.
Navy and Japan Cost Sharing
Funding for the Corvid Technologies contract is split between the US Navy and the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Navy accounts for 70 percent of the total value, while Japan funds the remaining 30 percent.
At the time of award, fiscal year 2026 research, development, test and evaluation Navy funds totaling $3.1 million were obligated, alongside $1.35 million in fiscal year 2026 Foreign Military Sales funds from Japan. The Department of Defense confirmed these funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The shared investment highlights ongoing US Japan cooperation in missile defense, particularly in testing systems designed to counter regional ballistic missile threats in the Indo Pacific.
Work Locations and Test Ranges
Work under the contract will be distributed across multiple US and allied test and production sites. The largest share will be performed in Moorestown, North Carolina, accounting for 37 percent of the effort.
Additional work locations include White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Glen Burnie in Maryland, and a series of US and allied test sites such as Benbecula in Scotland, Woomera in Australia, and Wallops Island in Virginia. Smaller portions of work will take place in Texas, Alabama, California, and Hawaii.
The geographic spread reflects the complexity of missile test programs, which often require coordination across manufacturing facilities, integration labs, and long range test ranges capable of supporting sub orbital launches.
Timeline and Program Importance
The modified contract is expected to be completed by January 2027. During this period, Corvid Technologies will continue supporting Navy and allied missile defense testing schedules, including live intercept trials and sensor evaluations.
Corvid Technologies, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, is known for its work on high speed flight vehicles, missile targets, and advanced aerospace testing solutions. The company has supported multiple US Department of Defense programs focused on missile defense and hypersonic test environments.
Strategic Context
The Corvid Technologies contract award comes as the US Navy and its allies place increased emphasis on missile defense readiness and interoperability. Realistic target vehicles are critical to ensuring interceptors, radars, and battle management systems perform as expected against evolving threats.
By combining US Navy and Japanese funding under a single contract vehicle, the program also reinforces allied cooperation and shared testing infrastructure, a key element of regional security strategy.
