Elbit Systems awarded AH-1W upgrade work

Elbit Systems of America has been awarded two contracts, totalling $14.1 million, supporting the US Marine Corps' upgrade of their Bell AH-1W attack helicopter fleet.

One contract, in the amount of $11.6 million, calls for Elbit Systems of America to provide helmet display tracker system (HDTS) kits on the aircraft. According to Elbit, the HDTS significantly improves flight safety by providing crewmembers greater situational awareness with enhanced night vision, weapons sighting, and weapons control capabilities.

Additional HDTS capabilities include improved safety in degraded visual environments, such as brown out, fog or weather-related conditions. Using 3D symbology and geological digital terrain information, HDTS provides pilots visual approach and drift cues so they know where they are in relation to the ground and obstacles. The contract will be performed over a two year period.

The second contract, in the amount of $2.5 million, will add tactical video data link (TVDL) technology to the helicopters.

TVDL provides aircrew information needed to detect, identify and quickly respond to threats. The information can be received via on-board sensors or from external sources such as ground troops or other aircraft.

Additionally, the information can be communicated back and forth, so all forces in a given area, on the ground or in the air, will have the same intelligence data when making mission-critical tactical decisions. The contract will be performed over a 15 month period.

‘The HDTS and TVDL are two more technologies Elbit Systems of America is deploying with the singular end result of protecting and saving lives,’ said Elbit Systems of America President and CEO Raanan Horowitz. ‘The AH-1W is on the front lines in the battle against those who wish to harm America. These new technologies give our marines capabilities and a level of safety never before experienced.’