PALM BAY, Fla., 15 Feb. 2006. Electro-optics engineers at the DRS Optronics unit in Palm Bay, Fla., won a $54 million contract to provide Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (HTI SGF) sighting systems for U.S. Army combat vehicles.
Awarding the contract was the Network Centric Systems division of Raytheon Co. in McKinney, Texas. DRS will provide the Abrams Thermal Receiver Units (TRU) with the Block 1 B-Kit, as well as Block 1 B-Kits for Improved Bradley Acquisition Systems (BAS) and the Bradley Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CATV) supporting the Army's HTI initiatives.
These systems provide critical common night vision technology to the U.S. Army's M1A2 Abrams main battle tank System enhancement package (SEP) and M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which continue to be an integral part of the military's operations in Iraq.
"This award will provide improved performance and increased sensor commonality for our military forces," says Fred L. Marion, president of DRS's Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. "The use of these systems across several ground platforms has provided the Army with the opportunity to leverage resulting economies, while exploiting the capabilities of the latest technology in night-vision systems. Central to the Army's modernization strategy for the digitization of the 21st century battlefield, the HTI initiative contributes significantly to the power projection capabilities of ground forces."
The HTI SGF systems enhance the engagement and surveillance ranges for the identification of threats, increase target acquisition capability and significantly reduce fratricide. HTI SGF allows ground vehicles to detect, identify and engage tactical targets during the day or night.
HTI SGF is comprised of a common electronics unit and opto-mechanical assemblies known as the B-Kit. The B-Kit is incorporated in the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (BAS) sight of the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle System. The M1A2 Abrams SEP utilizes the same B-Kit within a thermal receiving unit and a biocular image control unit for the upgraded Thermal Imaging System (TIS), which is mounted in the gunner's sight. DRS-produced HTI components also are used for the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer on the M1A2, the Commander's Independent Viewer on the Bradley A3 and the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3).
For more information contact DRS online at www.drs.com.
