Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
Raytheon-DRS receive 3rd gen FLIR EMD contract
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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