Textron to supply surveillance drones to Tantita for oil facilities protection

By Joy Enamuna

Textron Systems Corporation has secured a contract to supply three Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aircraft systems to Tantita Security Services, a Nigerian security firm involved in the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure.

The contract, announced on December 29, 2025, will see the systems delivered in an ITAR-Free configuration to allow seamless deployment for international operations. The deal also includes options for personnel training and the supply of additional aircraft as Tantita expands its operational capacity.

The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is a runway-independent platform powered by hybrid quadrotor technology, enabling vertical takeoff and landing while maintaining fixed-wing endurance. The system is designed for surveillance and security operations in high-risk environments.

“The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a mature, highly reliable, and industry-proven autonomous solution that will provide Tantita Security Services with transformational capability to execute their security operations,” said David Phillips, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems. “The Aerosonde system’s demonstrated performance and benchmark-setting reliability will enable the Tantita team to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity.”

Textron Systems said the contract builds on its long-standing support for international customers, noting that the Aerosonde family of systems has accumulated more than 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments.

The company added that the Aerosonde UAS is designed for multi-mission operations and is currently deployed on more than 10 United States Navy ships, with flexible payload options for both VTOL and fixed-wing configurations.

Textron Systems is a global provider of uncrewed air, land and sea platforms, operating across defence, aerospace and security sectors through a network of well-known industrial and aviation brands.