FLIR moves towards next phase of NBC recce vehicle programme

FLIR Systems announced on 15 October that it has been awarded a $26 million contract modification from the US Army for the NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU) programme.

The new contract allows FLIR to continue developing the sensor suite. The company aims to deliver mature prototypes for government testing in 2021.

In the next phase, the NBCRV will be teamed with a UGV for manned-unmanned teaming tests.

‘A FLIR-developed C2 system will bring together all devices and platforms with sensor fusion and automation features that lessen the cognitive burden on users and improve decision-making,’ the company stated.

The contract modification was issued via the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, following the original $48 million contract that was awarded in April 2019.

In addition to other third-party sensors, in the NBCRV SSU FLIR is integrating its R80D SkyRaider UAV with a version of its IBAC bio-detection sensor.

Earlier in 2020, the company delivered initial prototypes of the NBCRV SSU system for assessment at Fort Bliss, Texas. Soldiers employed the FLIR prototype in realistic battlefield scenarios to sense and rapidly avoid CBRN hazards.

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