The Army plans to build an elaborate Gray Eagle and Shadow UAV complex at Fort Bliss, Texas.
The $32 million contract, awarded to Oklahoma-based SGS, calls for a 50,000-square-foot hangar, according to the Army's environmental impact statement. It will be used for training in restricted military airspace for UAV operators.
"The UAS training complex would include a 5,000-foot-long paved runway and access taxiway for the Gray Eagle UAS and a 1,000-foot-long paved runway for the Shadow UAS, as well as parking areas," said the environmental statement.
The facility would also feature a 50,000-square-foot Gray Eagle storage hangar and a command and control center, according to project documents. There would be a hot loading facility for munitions deployment, and a hazardous materials building.
"The Gray Eagle UAS could be deployed with either live or inert Hellfire missiles for use on existing live fire ranges on Fort Bliss," the Army said. "Approximately four to seven Gray Eagle and Shadow sorties would be conducted daily for five days per week, with a surge to seven days per week if needed."
The Army concluded that the site would have no adverse environmental impact.
