Boeing infrared sensors slated for AWACS
The Air Force Electronic Systems Center (Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA) has awarded a $43.5 million Ballistic Missile Defense Organization contract to Boeing (Seattle, WA) to develo¥and demonstrate the Extended Airborne Global Launch Evaluator (EAGLE) infrared sensor suite. The sensors will be mounted ato¥the forward fuselage of an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) E-3 aircraft. The complete suite consists of two passive infrared sensors to detect and track theater ballistic missiles, a laser rangefinder, an inertial navigation system, and a target trajectory computer. Target data from the EAGLE system will be relayed to aircraft and ground stations for earlier warning and quicker reaction, thus allowing longer-range interceptions.