Drone Surveillance Contract Called Off by U.S. State Department

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-01/drone-surveillance-contract-called-off-by-u-s-state-department.html

Drone Surveillance Contract Called Off by U.S. State Department
By Nick Taborek - 2013-06-01T19:26:30Z

The U.S. State Department canceled its $1 billion surveillance drone competition, saying none of the proposals met its requirements, according to the U.S. government’s Federal Business Opportunities website.

The competition had called for companies to operate small-scale unmanned aircraft that would supply real-time video of convoy routes and buildings. It was an opportunity for companies such as Aerovironment Inc. (AVAV) and Vanguard Defense Industries LLC to boost sales outside the Department of Defense, the biggest U.S. buyer of unmanned aircraft.

The State Department “plans to examine closely the requirements stipulated in the solicitation with the intent of developing and releasing a new” request for drone proposals, according to the notice.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nick Taborek in Washington at ntaborek@bloomberg.net