WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — The Air Force has awarded two contracts worth as much as $125 million for additional MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft and support equipment, and for testing and development of intelligence and surveillance technologies.

The Air Force Research Laboratory awarded a contract, worth $75 million if fully funded, to Science Applications International Corp. to research, develop and test intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies, the Defense Department said Wednesday. The contract has been funded to the amount of $10 million so far, according to the department.

SAIC, based in San Diego, has regional operations in Fairborn, Beavercreek and Springfield.

The Aeronautical Systems Center, at Wright-Patterson, awarded a $51.5 million contract to buy MQ-9 Reapers and support equipment. The unmanned planes, also known as Predator B drones, have played a major role in the U.S. war on terror, in surveillance and aerial attack operations.

The contract is with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., of Poway, Calif., manufacturer of the Reaper.

The Defense Department has been pressing to get more unmanned aircraft to the war front, as quickly as possible, to supplement ground troops and manned aircraft.

Separately, Miamisburg-based contractor WebCore Technologies said it partnered with Gichner Shelter Systems, a Pennsylvania-based supplier of shelters and containers for U.S. armed forces and allies, to win an Air Force contract to develop new military shelters made of composite materials. WebCore specializes in fiber-reinforced composite materials, which are typically more lightweight and corrosion-resistant than metallic materials.

Financial details of the WebCore/Gichner contract were not immediately disclosed.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.