RICHARDSON, Texas, 17 Feb. 2009.Raytheon Company won from the U.S. Navy a single-source, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract valued at up to $180 million to procure, deliver, maintain, and provide logistical support to the Medium Range Thermal Bi-Ocular program through 2014.
The MRTB is a stand-alone and lightweight observation and targeting device used by Marines in all lighting conditions, including total darkness and at times when vision is obstructed by smoke, fog, or sandstorms, describes a representative. MRTB can be used to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance or to direct small arms fire.
"Our system includes upgrades in the latest Raytheon Vision Systems microbolometer detector technology, which provide double the resolution of earlier models," says Mike Allgeier, vice president of Operations and Precision Components at Raytheon. "This allows Marines to see at a greater distance with better identification capability and gives our troops a decided advantage on the battlefield."
The MRTB provides thermal imaging capability to the Marine Rifle Squad, Machine Gun Squad, and other Marine Corps units. It features low-power, compact, uncooled thermal technology and can recognize a man-sized moving target from up to one mile away.
"The system includes video recording with high-quality infrared and visible optics that provide extended range," says Allgeier. "It is ideal not just for military operations, but for border security, surveillance, and targeting applications."
