Air Force asks Raytheon to provide multispectral targeting sensors for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force electro-optical surveillance experts needed next-generation multispectraltargeting systems for the MQ-9 Reaper attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and other reconnaissance aircraft. They found their solution from the Raytheon Co.
Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced an $87.1 million contract Wednesday to the Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems segment 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 tracker; and built in provisions for future growth, Raytheon officials say.
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.
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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.
The AN/DAS-4 MTS 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. 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.
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.
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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 L-3 Technologies Advanced Laser Systems Technology (ALST) segment 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 contact Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems online at www.raytheon.com, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at www.wpafb.af.mil/aflcmc.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
