Navy asks FLIR Systems to provide BRITE Star II electro-optical targeting avionics in $14.6 million deal
CRANE, Ind. – U.S. Navy avionics experts needed multi-sensor electro-optical targeting systems for manned and unmanned aircraft. They found their solution from FLIR Systems Inc. in Wilsonville, Ore.
Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., announced a $14.6 million contract to FLIR Systems on Thursday for BRITE Star Block II multi-sensor targeting imaging systems.
The contract includes repair, data, training and engineering, and is for BRITE Star Block II systems for the U.S. Navy and for the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The BRITE Star Block II multi-sensor targeting imager provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as target detection, identification, and designation in daylight and at night for manned and unmanned aircraft.
The FLIR BRITE Star II has a 640-by-480-pixel indium antimonide focal plane array infrared thermal imager, a three-chip charged-coupled device (CCD) color daylight camera, as well as laser target designator, laser rangefinder, and laser pointer packaged in a chin-mounted pod for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The system measures 16.2 by 19.3 inches and weighs 113.5 pounds.
The imaging avionics system has an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and navigation processor, as well as automatic target tracker. It is designed for target designation, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions. The system ans can be switched quickly among different aircraft.
On this contract FLIR Systems will do the work in Wilsonville, Ore., and should be finished by September 2025. For more information contact FLIR Systems online at www.flir.com.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
