Textron Systems Corporation has secured a contract to deliver three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to Tantita Security Services, a Nigerian-based security solutions provider, in a move aimed at strengthening the protection of the country’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.
The contract, announced on December 29, 2025, will see the delivery of the UAS platforms in a fully ITAR-free configuration, making them suitable for international deployment. The acquisition is expected to significantly enhance surveillance and security operations across high-risk areas within Nigeria’s energy sector.
In addition to the three aircraft, the agreement includes options for operator training and the supply of additional systems to support Tantita’s planned expansion of its security capabilities. The deal also builds on an earlier Foreign Military Sale arrangement involving Nigeria.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is designed to operate without a runway, using hybrid quadrotor technology that allows for vertical takeoff and landing as well as fixed-wing flight. Its flexibility and reliability make it suitable for operations in challenging environments where conventional aircraft access may be limited.
Commenting on the award, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the platform would provide a major boost to Tantita’s operational effectiveness. According to him, the system’s proven performance and reliability will enable the security firm to expand its capacity to safeguard infrastructure that is vital to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
The contract further strengthens Textron Systems’ growing footprint in the global uncrewed systems market. The Aerosonde family of UAS has accumulated more than 700,000 flight hours worldwide and is currently deployed in diverse environments, including operations aboard more than 10 United States Navy ships.
The Aerosonde system supports multiple mission profiles and payload configurations, with both VTOL and fixed-wing options, making it adaptable for surveillance, reconnaissance and other security-related tasks.
Textron Systems is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a multi-industry company with interests spanning aerospace, defense, industrial and financial services, and is known globally for brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft and Lycoming.
