The US Division of Protection [DoD] just lately introduced that Raytheon [RTX] has acquired a contract value just below $48 million. The target? To construct and provide 9 AB/DAS-4 multi-spectral concentrating on techniques for the US Navy. The drones to be fitted with these new techniques are operated by NAVAIR. MQ-9 unmanned techniques will obtain the ordered AN/DAS-4 techniques.
So, what’s particular about Raytheon’s Multi-Spectral Focusing on System [MTS]? Primarily, it fuses electro-optical/infrared [EO/IR], laser designation and laser illumination options collectively right into a one-stop bundle.
With virtually 4 million hours of operation logged, the MTS vary of sensors, which incorporates MTS-A, MTS-B, MTS-C, and MTS-D [AN/DAS-4], have confirmed invaluable on the battleground. They supply crucial intelligence information throughout each visible and infrared spectrums, supporting US navy and civilian missions, in addition to these of our allies worldwide.
Using superior digital structure, the MTS gives capabilities like long-distance surveillance, goal acquisition, monitoring, vary discovering, and laser designation. This is applicable to the Griffin missile, Paveway laser-guided bomb, and all different tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions. MTS sensors provide a number of fields of view, digital zoom, and multimode video monitoring. Plus, they arrive with a built-in capability for future enlargement and enhancing efficiency.
Raytheon has up to now delivered a powerful 3,000+ MTS sensors to US and worldwide militaries, integrating 44 completely different variations on over 20 numerous rotor-wing, Unmanned Aerial Programs, and fixed-wing platforms. Some well-known names right here embody the MH-60 Blackhawk, C-130 Hercules, the MQ-9C Reaper, the MQ-1 Predator, and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle.
Manufacturing and supply of the 9 techniques are anticipated to start shortly at Raytheon’s manufacturing website in McKinney, Texas. The Pentagon anticipates that these techniques will likely be transferred to NAVAIR by March 2027.
The Naval Air Programs Command [NAVAIR] is chargeable for the fabric assist of the US Navy’s plane and airborne weapon techniques. It is among the Echelon II Navy techniques instructions [SYSCOM] and was established in 1966 as a successor to the Navy’s Bureau of Naval Weapons.
NAVAIR’s headquarters are positioned on the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Its navy and civilian personnel are unfold throughout eight places throughout the continental United States and one abroad website.
The first function of NAVAIR includes providing complete assist for naval aviation plane, weapons, and techniques operated by the Navy’s Sailors and Marines. This intensive assist encompasses areas similar to analysis, design, growth, system engineering, acquisition, testing and analysis, coaching amenities and gear, restore and modification, and offering engineering and logistics assist when in service.
The DoD signifies that the 9 sensors are earmarked for NAVAIR’s PMA-266 program workplace. This implies that the brand new techniques will both be put in on the MQ-9 Unmanned Plane System [UAS] or the MQ-8 — each of which fall below the remit of the PMA-266 for the US Navy.
The US DoD specified that the funding for the 9 ordered techniques would stay legitimate past the present fiscal 12 months. This contract was noncompetitive procurement, by 10 U.S. Code 3204[a][1]. This sole supply motion follows Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. As the unique gear producer, Raytheon is the one firm that may present these techniques, and no different provides or providers can fulfill the company’s necessities.
The MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-8 Hearth Scout are two distinct varieties of unmanned aerial autos [UAVs] that the US navy makes use of. Every boasts distinctive capabilities and makes use of. The MQ-9 Reaper, manufactured by Basic Atomics, represents an development from the MQ-1 Predator, being bigger and extra highly effective. Outfitted with the power to hold and launch precision-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles, it’s primarily used for offensive operations.
Moreover possessing superior surveillance applied sciences similar to infrared sensors, radar, and video cameras, the MQ-9 can fly at altitudes of as much as 50,000 toes and might keep airborne for over 27 hours. This makes it supreme for masking huge territories and sustaining its place for prolonged durations.
Conversely, the MQ-8 Hearth Scout, a product of Northrop Grumman, is a smaller, rotary-wing drone particularly designed for the Navy. Its main duties embody reconnaissance, situational consciousness, and offering precision concentrating on assist for floor, air, and sea forces. Its capability to take off and land vertically makes it significantly appropriate for maritime environments, similar to deployment from naval vessels.
The MQ-8 is provided with a number of sensors, together with a laser vary finder, infrared digital camera, and radar, enabling it to gather and transmit high-resolution imagery and information. With the power to fly as much as 20,000 toes, and an operational length of round 8 hours, the Hearth Scout’s dimension and vertical take-off and touchdown functionality make it an extremely versatile instrument, appropriate for a wide selection of missions, from piracy countermeasures to catastrophe reduction help.
Each the MQ-9 and the MQ-8 exemplify vital developments in drone know-how, offering the navy with enhanced surveillance, exact concentrating on, and strike mission capabilities. Though they serve numerous roles and function in numerous environments, they each play essential roles in modern warfare and protection methods.
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