Raytheon and DRS Technologies will work together to create the 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) B-Kit under a four-year, $56 million contract from the U.S. Army.
According to Raytheon, which announced the contract in a media statement Tuesday, the companies will engineer, manufacture, and produce the system, which will replace the 17,000 2nd Generation FLIR systems currently in use.
The new system will allow troops on the ground to ascertain whether a person or object spotted is connected to an enemy or allied force from twice the range provided by current infrared night vision systems. The system provides the wearer with four fields of view, dual-band infrared imaging, and upgraded stabilization over the 2nd Generation FLIR system.
“Third Gen FLIR will dramatically increase the range of ground combat vehicle sensors under all conditions, allowing our forces to acquire and stop the enemy,” said Duane Gooden, VP of Raytheon Land Warfare Systems, according to the media statement.
Raytheon described the upgrade as both “affordable” and “low risk.”
Once delivered, the systems will undergo platform system integration and testing. The contract includes a two-year option, which if exercised, would task the companies with making more systems for testing.
Raytheon has manufactured and delivered more than 20,000 2nd Generation FLIR sensors for U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and foreign military forces over the last 10 years.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
