BAE Systems receives $56m thermal weapon sights order
BAE Systems will provide thermal weapon sights to the US Army under a $56 million contract that continues production of the widely-used sights that improve situational awareness and survivability for men and women in combat.
The second-generation thermal sights give soldiers a tremendous day/night advantage to detect, observe and engage the enemy on today's battlefield by providing imagery independent of darkness, smoke and other common battlefield obscurants. Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide light, medium and heavy variants for use on individual and crew served weapons.
"BAE Systems is the world's number one provider of thermal sights, giving men and women serving in harm's way the ability to see through obscured visibility conditions, day or night," said Barry Yeadon, director of thermal weapon sight programs for BAE Systems in Lexington, Massachusetts.
The company now provides thermal weapon sights to the US and several other countries. This order is the most recent under a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract administered by the Army's Research and Development Command Acquisition Center. A previous award increased BAE Systems' total thermal weapon sight contract value to more than $1 billion since 2004.
To date, BAE Systems has delivered more than 94,000 sights to meet Army fielding requirements to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source: BAE Systems
More from Land Warfare
-
![Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres]()
Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres
Even small tactical vehicles can benefit from more powerful offensive and defensive armament, but as recent developments at Yugoimport demonstrate, there are still limitations to the sophistication of what can be fielded.
-
![Next-generation gun set to boost US Army combat vehicle capabilities]()
Next-generation gun set to boost US Army combat vehicle capabilities
The 50mm main weapon on the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle currently being competed for by industry will offer a step-change in firepower and targeting over the in-service M2 Bradley.
-
![The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026]()
The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026
2025 was a busy year for the land domain and 2026 looks set to be just as big. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill analyses some of the major trends we are likely to see in the year ahead.
-
![Can Iranian air defence systems compete for exports?]()
Can Iranian air defence systems compete for exports?
Iran’s defence industry is now producing a range of surface-to-air missile systems and has begun to market them internationally. Using what appears to be a mixture of original and reverse-engineered elements, how do they stack up compared to other countries’ offerings?
-
![Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year]()
Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year
December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.
