The BAMS UAS program, managed by NAVAIR’s Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office (PMA-262) at Pax River, received the award at the National Defense Industrial Association’s annual Systems Engineering conference in San Diego Oct. 28.

The award ‘‘recognizes successful overall programs and highlights their efforts and are presented to both the DoD project office and the industry prime contractor in recognition of total program performance in a DoD⁄industry team effort,” according to NDIA.

Program Manager Capt. Bob Dishman says the Top Five DoD Program Award affirms the exceptional efforts of the PMA-262 team.

‘‘Working at a brisk operational tempo, the entire team keeps pace with the demands and deadlines inherent in executing the BAMS program successfully,” Dishman said. Dishman and prime contractor Northrop Grumman representatives accepted the award.

‘‘Rigorous integration of systems engineering best practices has been key to our judicious processes throughout source selection and initial milestones of the system development and demonstration phase,” said Dishman. ‘‘Adherence to systems engineering methodologies ensures we remain on track to deliver this unprecedented capability for persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to our war fighters — on cost and on schedule. On behalf of the entire BAMS team, it is a distinct honor to receive this highly respected award.”

The BAMS UAS will be an integrated system of systems and a force multiplier for the joint force and Fleet commander, enhancing situational awareness of the battle space and shortening the sensor-to-shooter kill chain by providing a multi-sensor, persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, according to Dishman.

PMA-262 manages the development, production, fielding and sustainment of all persistent maritime unmanned aircraft systems.