FLIR Systems and Raytheon have won contracts to supply next-generation electro-optical (EO) sensors for the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment special operations helicopters. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts cover up to 335 sensors for delivery between 2004 and 2009.
Raytheon has received a $110 million US Special Operations Command contract for up to 210 assault EO sensors to be installed on Boeing MH-47 Chinooks and Sikorsky MH-60 Black Hawks, plus up to 50 attack EO sensors to be installed on MH-60L and MD Helicopters AH-6 Little Bird defensive armed penetrator helicopters.
FLIR Systems has won a $40 million contract for up to 75 lightweight assault EO sensors for A/MH-6 special operations helicopters. The multi-sensor system, only 230mm (9in) in diameter, will house a thermal imager, image-intensified television camera and laser rangefinder.
Source: Flight International
