The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have chosen Insitu’s 135-pound Integrator unmanned aircraft as their next small tactical reconnaissance plane, ending an industry competition that had lasted almost a year longer than originally planned.

The development contract is valued at $43.7 million but could have greater long-term value for Insitu, the 700-person company based in Bingen, Wash., that once manufactured remote-controlled aircraft as tuna scouts for commercial fishing fleets.

Insitu field representatives currently fly camera-equipped ScanEagle planes in Afghanistan for the Marine Corps and from ships for the Navy. If military assessments of the first planes go well, the Integrator contract “eventually will replace” the lucrative services contract under which Insitu has been flying the ScanEagles, said the Navy in announcing the decision July 29.

Naval Air Systems Command led the competition in partnership with Marine Corps Systems Command. Navy managers repeatedly announced delays to the anticipated contract award date without elaborating.

U.S. companies including Northrop Grumman and Raytheon had touted concepts for a Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS). Insitu was considered the front-runner because of its position as manufacturer of the 45-pound ScanEagle, the aircraft that inspired the STUAS program.

Insitu said Integrator will use the same skyhook recovery system used for the ScanEagles, although the craft will require a larger catapult.