The service works over 3.4 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zones and defends a coastline longer than the border between the U.S. and Mexico.
The potential acquisition comes as Israel clashes with the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, which has launched drones and missiles toward Israel.
The multi-billion dollar contract for Joint Direct Attack Munitions comes at a time when the military is trying to boost production of multiple weapons.
The service approved an abbreviated capabilities development document as two competitors move into a prototype flight demo phase for future tactical UAS.