WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio — U.S. Air Force electro-optical surveillance experts needed next-generation multispectral targeting systems for the MQ-9 Reaper attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and other reconnaissance aircraft. They found their solution from the Raytheon Co.
Raytheon is building multispectral targeting systems with high-definition cameras, a diode pump laser designator and rangefinder, laser spot search and track, and three-mode target tracker.
Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced an $87.1 million contract to Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in McKinney, Texas, for 44 AN/DAS-4 multispectral targeting system (MTS) Model B high-definition and target location accuracy turrets.
The AN/DAS-4 offers four high-definition cameras covering five spectral bands; a three-color diode pump laser designator and rangefinder; laser spot search and track capability; automated sensor and laser bore sight alignment; three mode target trackers; and built-in provisions for future growth.
The AN/DAS-4, the latest variant of the Raytheon MTS family of sensors, incorporates greater fire control and target location accuracy technology than previous MTS versions for precise coordinates.
The AN/DAS-4 MTS enables mission commanders to use high-definition data from an airborne tactical sensor to identify and engage targets with greater accuracy. This sensor system also is going aboard the U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton long-range maritime patrol UAV.
This advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system provides tracking and laser designation for the Griffin and Paveway missiles, as well as all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions. MTS sensors offer several fields of view, electronic zoom, and multimode video tracking.
This contract also includes one lot of production support and capacity increase; one lot of initial spares and shop-replaceable units; and one lot of associated data. The contract also involves foreign military sales to France.
L-3 Technologies Advanced Laser Systems Technology (ALST) in Orlando, Fla., is providing the eye-safe laser rangefinders for the Raytheon MTS.
On this contract Raytheon will do the work in McKinney, Texas, and should be finished by November 2019.
For more information, visit Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems online at www.raytheon.com, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at www.wpafb.af.mil/aflcmc.
