USMC orders additional TSS for AH-1Z Cobra
Lockheed Martin will produce additional Target Sight Systems (TSS) for the US Marine Corps' (USMC’s) AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter under a $33.9 million follow-on production contract awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division.
The TSS is the fire control system on the USMC AH-1Z Cobra. Its sensors provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The highly stabilised sensor suite includes a laser designator, colour video display and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing.
Brad Partain, senior program manager of airborne systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘This contract allows our TSS team to move seamlessly into an accelerated delivery schedule ensuring the system is available to warfighters during critical missions. The system enables pilots to see farther, engage threats with increased confidence and safely return to base.’
The initial TSS production contract was awarded in March 2008, followed by additional production contracts in June 2010, August 2011 and May 2012. Lockheed Martin delivered the first TSS in June 2009, and recently began early delivery of production units to support Lot 8 AH-1Z aircraft. TSS Lot 10 deliveries will be complete in December 2015.
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