Will drone motherships form part of tomorrow’s warfare?
While motherships offer multiple operational advantages, the changes in the character of warfare may bring new tactics to the battlefield, reducing their role.
FLIR Defense to provide 125 electro-optic sensors to US Coast Guard
Deliveries are expected to begin in Q4 2025. (Photo: USCG)
The systems will be installed on US Coast Guard (USCG) MH-60 and MH-65 helicopters.
Teledyne FLIR Defense has been awarded a US$74.2 million Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to supply 125 Electro-Optic Sensor System-Modernized (ESS-M) systems for use on USCG Helicopters.
The systems are for the USCG’s Sikorsky MH-60 and Eurocopter MH-65 helicopters. The ESS-M platform features a full-HD sensor suite and updated user interfaces, as well as processing capabilities and software enhancements to support future growth.
The ESS-M system provides high-definition daylight, low light, and infrared imagery and will be used in support of USCG missions such as coastal security, search and rescue, and drug and migrant interdiction.
The 40-plus MH-60Ts in
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