WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, 5 Jan. 2011. Military electro-optics experts at the Raytheon Co., Space and Airborne Systems in McKinney, Texas, are seeking to improve the resolution of the Multi-Spectral Targeting System-B (MTS-B) sensor pod for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft under terms of a $25.8 million contract awarded Tuesday from the U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The contract calls for Raytheon to continue making improvements to the MTS-B UAV sensor -- particularly to improve the system imaging from standard definition to high definition.
The MTS-B provides electro-optical, infrared, laser designation, and laser illumination in one airborne sensor package for versions of the Air Force Predator B UAV, Gray Eagle UAV, and similar variants. The MTS-B' advanced digital architecture provides detecting, ranging, and tracking, as well as long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition, tracking, rangefinding, and laser designation for the Hellfire missile and for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions, Raytheon officials say.
Raytheon designers also are investigating image fusion and other performance enhancements for the MTS-B, company officials say. Raytheon will do the contract work in McKinney, Texas, and should be finished by early 2013.
For more information contact Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems online at www.raytheon.com/businesses/rsas, or the Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center at www.wpafb.af.mil/asc.
