Leonardo DRS Wins $39.6M Navy Contract for JTT-X Terminals

Leonardo DRS has secured a $39.6 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command to supply Joint Tactical Terminal Transceiver (JTT-X) units for EA-18G Growler aircraft. The agreement supports the company's role in the Navy’s Global Lightning initiative, a program focused on upgrading airborne communication resilience.

"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.

Scope of the JTT-X Integration

The firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract encompasses technical and logistical requirements. According to a company announcement, the scope includes non-recurring engineering, full-scale production, aircraft integration, qualification testing, and ongoing production support for the fleet.

The JTT-X system functions as a hybrid satellite communications terminal. The JTT-X operates across both government and commercial network pathways. This includes compatibility with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) architectures, which the Department of Defense uses for their low latency and reduced vulnerability to signal jamming compared to traditional geostationary satellites.

Strategic Importance to Naval Aviation

The integration into the EA-18G Growler supports the aircraft's role in electronic warfare. By providing enhanced connectivity, the JTT-X allows the Growler to maintain secure data links while performing suppression of enemy air defense missions. This upgrade is a component of the Navy's effort to modernize its tactical communications, ensuring that aircrews can access high-bandwidth data in contested environments.

Financial Context

This contract represents a revenue stream for Leonardo DRS as it supports defense infrastructure. As of September 16, 2026, shares of Leonardo DRS (DRS) were trading at $37.01.

The contract award follows the details reported by Investing.com, confirming the company's involvement in the Navy's long-term modernization strategy for airborne intelligence and communication assets.