BAE Systems has received a U.S. Army contract for a new generation of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems that will provide precise detection and identification of known and potential threats.

BAE Systems’ AURORA Generation IVTM spectral ISR system combines hyperspectral imaging technology with high-resolution electro-optic and infrared sensors with an airborne processing system that exploits and fuses spectral and imagery data in real time.

“The system represents the first transition of combined tactical hyperspectral and EO/IR technology for U.S. warfighters,” says Dr. Ramy Shanny, BAE Systems’ general manager of Advanced Technologies in Washington, D.C.

The AURORA Generation IV system was developed for use on a wide range of low- and high-flying vehicles that can accommodate payloads as low as 15 pounds. BAE Systems initially will integrate five systems on U.S. Army Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles.

The system combines imaging arrays and sensors with BAE Systems’ Adaptive Spectral Processing and Identification System (ASPIS) to provide automated target recognition. ASPIS detects and identifies known or potential threats and then downlinks target imagery and other data to ground operators for rapid delivery into intelligence databases.