CRANE, Ind. - U.S. Navy electro-optics sensors experts needed shortwave infrared (SWIR) cameras for the Navy Raytheon Multispectral Targeting System (MTS). They found their solution at Quantum Imaging Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in Crane, Ind., announced an $8.2 million contract to Quantum Imaging for SWIR and visible-light camera work for the MTS.
The work will involve SWIR camera assemblies; visible and near-infrared cameras; low-light scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera; repairs; and spare parts for the MTS.
The SWIR, visible and near-infrared, and low-light CMOS cameras are for maintaining and sustaining the MTS aboard Navy, Army, and Air Force manned and unmanned aircraft.
The Raytheon MTS is an airborne, electro-optic, forward-looking infrared, turreted sensor package that provides long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition, tracking, rangefinding, and laser designation, and for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions.
The system is a turreted forward- looking pod combining several visible-light and infrared video cameras for long-range surveillance and high-altitude target acquisition, tracking and laser designation.
The MTS offers a combination of sensors that include multiple- wavelength sensors; near-infrared and color daylight TV cameras; illuminators; eye-safe rangefinders; image merging; spot trackers; and similar other avionics, officials say.
Multispectral sensors capture image data at specific frequencies, and separate the wavelengths to extract information the human eye fails to capture with its receptors for red, green, and blue. It can detect things like disturbed dirt, and can be effective in finding targets hidden in camouflage. MTS sensors carry the military designations of AAS-52, AAS-53, ASQ-228, DAS-1, and DAS-2.
The Raytheon MTS can be fitted to the C-130 fixed-wing aircraft, the MH-60 helicopter, and the medium-altitude, long-endurance MQ-9 Reaper hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The system works with the Hellfire missile and all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions, such as the Paveway laser guided bomb. The advanced targeting forward looking infrared (ATFLIR) pod also is used with Paveway, JSOW, and HARM bombs and missiles.
Quantum Imaging will do the work on this contract in Colorado Springs, Colo., and should be finished by September 2021.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Quantum Imaging at www.quantumimaging.com.
