BAE Systems logs FWS-I production order

BAE Systems is set to begin producing the new Family of Weapon Sights-Individual (FWS-I) thermal weapon sight under a $13.5 million low rate initial production order from the US Army. 

The order comes after Milestone C approval following the successful conclusion of contractor- and government-led field testing. 

The company will deliver more than 100 weapon sight systems as part of a previously announced five-year contract for the army’s Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III and Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (ENVG III/FWS-I) programme.

The FWS-I solution integrates BAE Systems’ 12-mircon technology, designed to reduce the size and weight of the sight and deliver superior image quality. The uncooled infrared thermal weapon sight allows soldiers to clearly view targets at more than 1,000m away. The clip-on sight can be mounted on an M4 carbine, M16A4 rifle, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, M136 AT4 rifle or M141 Bunker Defeat. 

The system can also connect with the ENVG III for reduce target engagement time. Its Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA) Module solution uses a wireless connection to integrate the weapon sight view directly into the soldier’s goggle so targets can be quickly located and engaged from any carry position, without needing to raise the weapon to the eye. This allows soldiers to accurately engage targets while still maintaining full cover. 

Marc Casseres, director of imaging and aiming solutions at BAE Systems, said: ‘These advanced weapon sights will allow soldiers to conduct surveillance and acquire targets in any light or weather conditions, increasing mission safety and effectiveness. This production order means that soldiers are one step closer to receiving this mission-critical technology for use in-theatre.’