Lockheed Martin receives $49.9m contract for TSS

Lockheed Martin received a $49.9 million follow-on production contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center for the Target Sight System (TSS), the fire control system for the US Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008, followed by a second production contract in June 2010. Lockheed Martin delivered the first TSS in June 2009, and recently began early delivery of low-rate initial production units. Production is expected to continue through 2018. TSS is produced at facilities in Ocala and Orlando, Fla.

"Lockheed Martin's TSS provides AH-1Z aviators with a system they can rely on to effectively support troops on the ground," said Joseph Butera, senior program manager of airborne systems in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "TSS delivers precise targeting and accurate weapons delivery, while reducing operator workload."

TSS integrates state-of-the-art sensors to provide aviators with superior imagery through a highly stabilized sensor suite, specifically tailored to the AH-1Z platform. The suite includes a laser designator, color TV camera and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing.

TSS is one of several high-performance stabilized targeting systems designed, manufactured, tested and supported by Lockheed Martin. The company's fielded solutions for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft include Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor for the US Army, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod for the US Air Force and the AN/AAQ-39 targeting system for the US Air Force Special Operations Command.

Source: Lockheed Martin