- Teledyne FLIR Defense won a $32 million U.S. Army contract to provide reconnaissance and surveillance sensor kits for nearly 200 Stryker armored vehicles ordered by Bulgaria under a Foreign Military Sales agreement.
- The sensors will equip Bulgaria’s Strykers with thermal imaging, radar, and integrated tracking systems to support NATO interoperability and land force modernization.
Teledyne FLIR Defense has secured a $32 million contract to supply reconnaissance and surveillance sensor kits for Bulgaria’s Stryker armored vehicles, the company confirmed.
The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground and covers the integration of advanced sensor systems on nearly 200 U.S.-made Stryker vehicles that Bulgaria is acquiring to replace its Soviet-era tactical fleet. The program is intended to improve the Bulgarian Army’s operational awareness and interoperability with NATO forces.
According to Teledyne FLIR Defense, the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) kits will provide Bulgarian Stryker units with 360-degree visibility, thermal imaging, and long-range threat detection in both day and night conditions. The systems are designed to support reconnaissance and force protection missions in complex operational environments.
As noted by the company, the delivered equipment will include the TacFLIR 280 HDEP electro-optical and infrared imaging system, the Ranger R20SS long-range radar, and Cameleon control software. These systems allow crews to detect, identify, track, and share information on potential threats while operating in all-weather conditions.
The TacFLIR 280 HDEP sensor is a stabilized EO/IR system used on both ground and aerial platforms for long-range surveillance and targeting. It provides high-resolution imaging at extended ranges and is designed to support persistent observation while the vehicle is stationary or moving. The Ranger R20SS radar is used for ground surveillance and can detect moving targets over long distances, including personnel and vehicles. The Cameleon software integrates sensor inputs into a single control interface, enabling crews to manage detection and tracking tasks more efficiently.
Teledyne FLIR Defense said the sensor package will be installed on Bulgaria’s Stryker fleet as part of the broader vehicle delivery program, which is being implemented through U.S. Army contracting channels. The Stryker vehicles themselves are being acquired to replace aging Soviet-designed armored platforms that no longer meet current operational or interoperability requirements.
Bulgaria’s decision to procure Strykers reflects a broader effort to align its land forces with NATO standards, particularly in communications, survivability, and command-and-control integration. The addition of U.S.-supplied sensor suites is intended to ensure that Bulgarian units can operate alongside allied forces during joint exercises and deployments without relying on legacy equipment that lacks compatibility with NATO systems.
“This initiative will help a key NATO ally upgrade its force capabilities, boost interoperability within NATO, and improve situational awareness,” said Dr. JihFen Lei, president of Teledyne FLIR Defense.
The contract adds to Teledyne FLIR Defense’s existing portfolio of sensor and surveillance systems provided to NATO members and partner nations. The company is a long-standing supplier of EO/IR and radar systems used on armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval platforms, with its equipment deployed across multiple allied forces.
For Bulgaria, the sensor integration is part of a larger restructuring of its ground forces, which has included the purchase of Western armored vehicles, communications systems, and support equipment since joining NATO. The Stryker program is one of the country’s largest land-force investments in recent years and is aimed at improving readiness, mobility, and battlefield awareness.