Kollsman to provide infrared sensors for Marine Corps Cobra attack helicopters

CRANE, Ind., 4 May 2015. Military electro-optics experts at Kollsman Inc. in Merrimack, N.H., will provide night vision and targeting equipment for U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopters under terms of a $43 million contract.

Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., are asking Kollsman to provide Night Targeting Systems Upgrade (NTSU) sensors and support for Marine Corps AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

The NTSU airborne targeting system is an electro-optical, forward-looking infrared, turreted sensor package that provides long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition, tracking, range-finding, and laser designation for the Marine Corps.

The NTSU airborne fire-control system designates targets for the Hellfire and TOW missiles carried by the Cobra attack helicopter. The NTSU improves the tracking and attack capabilities of the AH-1 family of helicopters.

Related: Lockheed Martin to build electro-optical infrared sensors for Marine attack helicopters

The system uses advanced computers, thermal imager, and charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging to improve visibility conditions for the Cobra helicopter during the day, at night, and in bad weather.

The Kollsman NTSU builds on the legacy of the combat-proven NTS, Kollsman officials say. The improvements in the optics increase the Cobra air crew's ability to detect, recognize, identify, and attack targets at stand-off ranges in all weather and lighting conditions.

Improvements in design and removal of obsolete components in the NTSU result in increased reliability and maintainability, company officials say.

On this contract Kollsman will do the work in Merrimack, N.H., and should be finished by April 2020. For more information contact Kollsman online at www.kollsman.com, or the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane at www.navsea.navy.mil/nswc/crane.