Home News Aviation U.S. Air Force orders additional multi-spectral targeting systems for combat drones

U.S. Air Force orders additional multi-spectral targeting systems for combat drones

MQ-9 Reapers are parked on the flight line Nov. 27, 2017 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Photo by Staff Sgt. Divine Cox

The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded Raytheon Company a $94,2 million modification to a previously awarded contract for DAS‐4 production and upgrades.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense on Friday, this modification provides for the purchase of an additional 54 production AN/DAS‐4 Multi‐Spectral Targeting System Model B High Definition/Target Location Accuracy (HD/TLA) turrets and one DAS‐1A to DAS‐4 turret unit upgrade.

The DAS-4 will be deployed with MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat air vehicles.

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Raytheon’s Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS) provides electro-optical/ infrared (EO/IR), laser designation, and laser illumination capabilities integrated in a single sensor package.

The new MTS variant allows mission commanders to use high definition data from an airborne tactical sensor to identify and engage targets with much greater accuracy, significantly improving overall mission effectiveness.

The DAS-4 incorporates other major improvements, including: four high definition cameras covering five spectral bands; a three-color diode pump laser designator/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.

Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales to The Netherlands.

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