Detroit Defense Wins $49.9 Million Army Contract for Digital Maintenance Tools
Detroit Defense has been awarded a four-year US Army indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a $49.9 million ceiling to integrate, field and sustain its DIGS maintenance system and the Digital Logbook. The company announced the award on November 2, 2026.
The customer is Army Contracting Command–Detroit Arsenal, supporting the Ground Vehicle Systems Center Software Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan. The company said two task orders worth about $8 million were issued at award.
Detroit Defense Wins a Four-Year Army IDIQ Contract
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | US Army Contracting Command–Detroit Arsenal, supporting DEVCOM GVSC Software Engineering Center |
| Contractor | Detroit Defense |
| Contract type | Four-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), awarded through a competitive Commercial Solutions Opening |
| Ceiling | $49.9 million |
| Scope | Develop, integrate, field and sustain DIGS and the Digital Logbook; continuous software sustainment |
| Initial task orders | About $8 million across two orders |
| Period of performance | Through September 2030 |
| Announced | November 2, 2026 |
The scope covers continuous sustainment of the Digital Logbook software and the integration of DIGS and the logbook on new and legacy platforms. It also includes unit fielding in the continental United States and overseas, with kitting, installation, new equipment training and field service representative support. The company said systems are configured and kitted at its facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Under the contract, all software created is delivered to the Army with Government Purpose Rights, the company said.
What DIGS and the Digital Logbook Replace
Detroit Defense describes DIGS and the Digital Logbook as a replacement for paper-based, error-prone maintenance processes, folding them into a single digital workflow. Soldiers use ruggedised tablets for diagnostics and for access to Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals, and the tablets connect to GCSS-Army, the Army’s logistics system.
The company said the system generates DA Form 5988-E entries automatically from vehicle sensor data. That form is the Army’s equipment maintenance request record, so the claim, if it holds in the field, removes a manual step from every inspection and repair.
Nathan Clark, the company’s senior vice president of Mission Systems, said the awards “move DIGS and Digital Logbook from proven capability to scaled fielding.” He added that Detroit Defense is proud to continue building the capability with GVSC.
From Self-Propelled Howitzers to Army Watercraft
Fielding starts with self-propelled howitzers. The company said DIGS will go first to more than 20 self-propelled howitzer battalions, with engineering, test and sustainment support provided inside the GVSC Software Engineering Center.
A separate task order of about $1.6 million covers a watercraft version of DIGS for the Product Manager Army Watercraft Systems. It was issued to AR1, a joint venture of Detroit Defense and ACE Electronics, under the Defense Logistics Agency’s Gateway to Readiness contract. Delivery is planned for 2027.
| Award | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Army IDIQ | $49.9 million ceiling | DIGS and Digital Logbook development, integration, fielding and sustainment through September 2030 |
| Initial task orders | About $8 million | Issued at award under the IDIQ |
| Watercraft DIGS task order | About $1.6 million | Landing Craft Utility, Logistic Support Vessels, Modular Causeway Systems and Maneuver Support Vessel-Light; instructor training, technical manuals and a compact charging case for the MSV-L |
The same DIGS data will feed predictive maintenance and fleet-readiness applications that Detroit Defense is extending with the 1st Cavalry Division under an Army Applications Laboratory award, the company said.
Detroit Defense Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Detroit Defense |
| Headquarters | Troy, Michigan (as listed by Gladstone Investment and Simplify) |
| Former name | Ricardo Defense, rebranded as Detroit Defense in May 2025 |
| Facility named in the release | Sterling Heights, Michigan, where systems are configured and kitted |
| Business | Technical services and integrated logistics for military systems, supporting the Department of Defense and allies |
| Products named | DIGS, Digital Logbook, watercraft DIGS |
Gladstone Investment lists Detroit Defense in its portfolio. Sources disagree on when the company was founded, so this report does not give a date.
Detroit Defense DIGS Contract FAQ
What is DIGS?
According to Detroit Defense, DIGS is a ruggedised tablet-based maintenance system that provides diagnostics, access to Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals and a link to GCSS-Army, replacing paper-based maintenance processes.
How much is the Detroit Defense Army contract worth?
The IDIQ contract has a ceiling of $49.9 million over four years. About $8 million in task orders were issued at award.
Who is the customer?
Army Contracting Command–Detroit Arsenal, supporting the DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center Software Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan.
Which vehicles get DIGS first?
Self-propelled howitzers, with more than 20 battalions planned for initial fielding, according to the company.
Is the company the former Ricardo Defense?
Yes. GovConWire reported in May 2025 that Ricardo Defense rebranded as Detroit Defense.
- Detroit Defense – press release, “Detroit Defense Awarded Four-Year Army IDIQ Contract With a $49.9 Million Ceiling to Integrate, Field, and Sustain DIGS and Digital Logbook” (November 2, 2026): prnewswire.com
- GovConWire – Ricardo Defense rebrands as Detroit Defense (May 2025)
- Gladstone Investment – Detroit Defense company profile
