The Pentagon announced on Wednesday night that L-3 Communications Holdings and a US subsidiary of Italy’s Finmeccanica were awarded a $2.04bn contract for a tactical transport aircraft to service both the US army and air force, beating a rival bid by Raytheon in partnership with EADS.

The contract, which analysts say could be worth some $6bn, including future orders, is the second significant breakthrough into the US market for Finmeccanica following its involvement in the Marine One presidential helicopter contract.