Raytheon to upgrade and maintain multispectral sensors for Navy anti-submarine and counter-mine helicopters
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Navy maritime surveillance experts are asking Raytheon Technologies Corp. to upgrade and maintain multispectral targeting sensors for the Navy MH-60R and MH-60S anti-submarine and counter-mine helicopters under terms of a potential $376.4 million contract announced last week.
Officials of the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon System Support activity in Philadelphia are asking the Raytheon Intelligence & Space segment in McKinney, Texas, for logistics, repair, and upgrade support for 15 Multi-Spectral Targeting System Forward-Looking Infrared components in support of MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters.
The AN/DAS-3 Multispectral Targeting System (MTS) is the latest variant of the Raytheon MTS family of electro-optical sensors, and incorporates greater fire control and target location accuracy for precise targeting coordinates, Raytheon officials say. The contract award is for $272.7 million, and has options that could increase its value to $376.4 million.
The Raytheon MTS provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), detection, identification, and targeting capability in day and nighttime operations on manned and unmanned aircraft.
Related: Multispectral UAV sensor payloads help Marines find hidden beach mines
MTS sensors provide detailed intelligence data from the visual and infrared spectra. The new AN/DAS-4 MTS variant enables mission commanders to use high-definition data from an airborne tactical sensor to identify and engage targets with much greater accuracy, Raytheon officials say.
The DAS-4 includes 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 tracker; and built-in provisions for future growth.
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.
Multispectral sensors divide images and video into several light wavelengths -- typically three to 15 spectral bands -- across the electromagnetic spectrum, including light from frequencies beyond the visible light range such as infrared and ultra-violet.
Dividing images into several different wavelengths enables the sensor to extract additional information the human eye fails to capture with its receptors for red, green and blue.
The L3Harris Technologies Advanced Laser Systems Technology segment in Orlando, Fla., is providing the eye-safe laser rangefinders for the Raytheon MTS.
On this order Raytheon will do the work in Jacksonville, Fla., and in McKinney, Texas, and should be finished by March 2027. With options the contract could extend to May 2029. For more information contact Raytheon Intelligence & Space online at www.rtx.com/our-company/our-businesses#ris, or the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support activity in Philadelphia at www.navsup.navy.mil/NAVSUP-Enterprise/NAVSUP-Weapon-Systems-Support.
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.
