A Raytheon and DRS Technologies team have received $56 million from the US Army to engineer, develop and manufacture the third-generation, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) night vision B-Kit.
The next-generation system is an upgrade to current night vision equipment, that will give ground troops the ability to discriminate between friend and enemy at twice the distance of current systems. It is a form/fit upgrade to the 17,000 second-generation ground FLIR systems currently in use.
The four-year engineering, manufacturing and development contract will see the companies deliver B-Kit systems for platform system integration and testing. The contract also includes a two-year option to build additional systems for more comprehensive testing.
Duane Gooden, vice president, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems, said: ‘After decades of experience delivering high-performance night vision to the US Army, our team is uniquely qualified to help maintain combat overmatch for our ground troops. Third Gen FLIR will dramatically increase the range of ground combat vehicle sensors under all conditions, allowing our forces to acquire and stop the enemy.’
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The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher is in high demand with Lockheed Martin doubling speed of manufacture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As orders are racked up in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region is seeing the increasing presence of the system.
The company's Riddler uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to be small and light to allow easy deployment and the ability to access smaller areas such as bus or train aisles.
The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.
Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.
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