US Army awards Raytheon multispectral imaging contract for helicopters

Waltham, MA--Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $14.6 million contract by the US Army to develop new image processing technology for the Advanced Distributed Aperture System (ADAS)--a multispectral imaging technology that gives helicopter pilots 360-degree situational awareness that improves aircraft and crew survivability when operating in low visibility conditions.

The new processor will significantly enhance the system's high-resolution imagery. The technology upgrade includes thermal sensing cameras and a next-generation helmet-mounted display subsystem. Together these capabilities will enable full-spherical situational awareness in daytime or total darkness, supporting safer flight operations in environments of degraded visibility.

In April 2011, Raytheon successfully completed the integration of ADAS capabilities required by the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration. During flight testing, ADAS demonstrated mid-wavelength infrared and near-infrared image fusion, local area processing, hostile-fire indication, landing-assist symbols that appear on the helmet display for operation in low visibility, and infrared search and track.

The contract was awarded by the Army's Research Development and Engineering Command; Cmmunications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. Flight demonstrations were conducted at Army facilities in Virginia and Alabama. Flight testing for the new image processor upgrade is expected to begin in late 2012.

SOURCE: Raytheon