Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has launched a program to supply tactical unmanned aerial vehicles to the U.S.-trained Yemen Army following the failure of its own covert drone campaign to quell the insurgencies in the troubled Gulf Arab state.

This marked the first U.S. announced contract for UAVs for Yemen which has been fighting a losing battle against Al Qaida and Iranian-backed Shi’ite rebels backed by covert drone attacks which the Obama administration executed.

[Related: Iran-backed militants shut down airport, capital of U.S.-backed Yemen, Sept. 21]

Officials said the Yemen Army would use ScanEagle for counter-insurgency operations. The platform, with an endurance of 20 hours and a 3.1 meter wingspan, can be launched without an airfield.

Under the $10.9 million award, Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, would procure a ScanEagle UAV system for Sanaa under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

“This order also provides for one 12-month/3,600 flight-hour sustainment package with acceptance testing, spares, technical manuals, and training; a site activation team; field service representative; and force rotection,” the Pentagon said.

In a statement on Sept. 29, the Pentagon said Insitu, based in Bingen, Wash., would supply one ScanEagle system. This consists of nine electro-optics UAVs and three infrared platforms.

“Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington, 50 percent, and Sanaa, Yemen, 50 percent, and is expected to be completed in September 2015,” the Pentagon said.

  Insitu, Obama administration expands on its drone war in Yemen, Pentagon, ScanEagle UAV system