Lockheed Martin to provide electro-optical targeting systems for U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopters

Electro-optics experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. are building five multi-sensor electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) fire-control systems for U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters. Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., announced an $11.8 million order to the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., for five AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems (TSS). The TSS equipment for Marine Corps Viper helicopter gunships is part of the Marine Corps H-1 upgrades program for the remanufacture of legacy aircraft with state-of-the-art designs to convert the Marine Corps’ existing fleet of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to the AH-1Z Viper, Navy officials say. The Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-30 TSS provides target identification and tracking, passive targeting for integrated weapons — including Hellfire missiles — and a laser designation for laser-guided weapons. TSS can identify and laser-designate targets at the maximum ranges of Viper helicopter weapons. The AN/AAQ-30 targeting system is a large-aperture midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, color TV, laser designator and rangefinder (with eye-safe mode), and on-gimbal inertial measurement unit integrated into a stabilized turret on the nose of the helicopter.