Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
Raytheon has announced that it has been selected by the US Army to provide Thermal Weapon Sights (TWS) under a modification to an existing contract which extends the period of performance by three years. The award, announced on 21 October, has a potential value of $131 million.
The award will see Raytheon provide TWS with enhanced capabilities so soldiers can better detect and engage targets day or night, allowing soldiers to spot targets at long distances through haze, dust, fog and other obscurants.
Raytheon could potentially supply more than 24,000 sights over the life of the contract. The company has provided more than 65,000 sights to the US Army under various contracts since 2000.
Jeff Miller, vice president of Combat and Sensing Systems in NCS, said: ‘This is just one example of how Raytheon is putting rugged lightweight thermal imaging technology in soldiers’ hands to deliver clear targeting and surveillance imagery, significantly increasing survivability. Our troops are getting equipment with improved detection ranges and the ability to operate effectively day or night.’
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
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