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AIRBORNE ELECTRO-OPTICAL AND INFRARED SYSTEMS
AAQ- 40 ELECTRO-OPTICAL TARGETING
SYSTEM (EOTS)
BRIEFING: The EOTS, developed for the F- 35, will provide detection and precision targeting of air and ground threats, as well as
surveillance and battlefield situation awareness. The EOTS is the
first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared with search and
track functionality. The sensor views through a sapphire window
in the nose of the F- 35, rather than in a rotating turret. The first
LRIP units were delivered in November 2009. First flight of the
EOTS took place in August 2010 on a test-bed aircraft.
CONTRACTORS: . . . . . . . . . Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems
AN/ASG- 34 (V) 1 INFRARED
SEARCH AND TRACK (IRST)
BRIEFING: The IRST is a passive infrared sensor mounted
in the forward section of a centerline fuel tank that detects
and tracks aerial targets at extended ranges. Its high angle
accuracy allows it to track closely spaced targets at maximum
ranges. The IRST system began flight testing on F/A-18E/F
Super Hornets in February 2014 and was approved for LRIP in
December 2014. Deployment is planned for 2017.
CONTRACTORS: . . . . . . . . . Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp.
ASQ-228 ADVANCED TARGETING
FORWARD-LOOKING INFRARED (ATFLIR)
BRIEFING: The ASQ-228 ATFLIR is an external targeting pod
designed for the F/A- 18. The pod features mid-wave infrared
(IR) targeting, an electro-optical sensor, laser rangefinder, target
designator, laser spot tracker and a laser IR marker. ATFLIR provides the aircrew imagery to detect, acquire, track and identify
ground targets for attack with laser-guided or Global Positioning
System weapons. An IR marker is available for identifying targets
to night vision goggle-equipped ground forces. ATFLIR video is
downlinked via the ATFLIR ROVER Data Link system and provides C-band ATFLIR video to ground forces equipped with the
ROVER system. ATFLIR has been used extensively in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The Navy has procured 410 ATFLIR systems.
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . Raytheon Co.
AAS-36A INFRARED DETECTING SET
BRIEFING: The AAS-36A Infrared Detecting Set is a turret-mounted infrared standoff system that passively detects and
tracks contacts of interest. The system, installed in P- 3 aircraft, is being replaced by ASX- 4 and ASX- 6 electro-optical
infrared systems.
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . Texas Instruments
AAS- 44 THERMAL IMAGING SYSTEM
BRIEFING: The AAS- 44 is a long-range thermal imaging system used for surveillance as well as targeting for laser-guided
air-to-surface weapons from helicopters. The AAS- 44 is
installed on the HH-60H, MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters.
CONTRACTOR: . . . . . . . . . . Raytheon Co.
ASX- 6 MULTIMODE IMAGING SYSTEM
(MMIS) AND ASX- 4 ADVANCED IMAGERY
MULTISPECTRAL SYSTEM (AIMS)
BRIEFING: The ASX- 4 AIMS is a military variant of the commercial MX- 20, a 20-inch-diameter gimbaled turret housing
long-range, high-resolution digital electro-optical and infrared sensors for maritime surveillance. It replaced the AAS- 36
on the Aircraft Improvement Program versions of the P-3C.
The MX- 20 True High Definition version is the electro-optical
sensor on the P-8A. The ASX- 6 MMIS, a 15-inch-diameter
gimbaled turret housing long-range, high-resolution digital
electro-optical and infrared sensors similar to the ASX- 4, is a
military version of the commercial MX- 15 replacing the AAS-
36 on other P-3Cs.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . L- 3 WESCAM
AAQ-22E BRITE STAR II
BRIEFING: The BRITE Star II sensor system is a 16-inch-
diameter electro-optical/infrared navigational sensor system
that includes a laser designator, laser pointer and large focal-plane array color daylight camera. Block II is replacing the
AAQ-22C Star Safire and AAQ-22D BRITE Star. The Navy uses
the BRITE Star for the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical-takeoff UAV.
The Marine Corps uses the system on its UH-1Y helicopters.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . FLIR Systems Inc.
DVS- 1 COASTAL BATTLEFIELD
RECONNAISSANCE AND ANALYSIS (COBRA)
BRIEFING: The COBRA is a mine- and obstacle-detection
multispectral sensor that is a modular component of the mine
warfare mission package for the LCS. It is designed to detect
mines from the beach through the surf zone. It is a turret
designed to be carried in the MQ-8B Fire Scout. COBRA is the
ISR technology component of the planned Assault Breaching
System. In March 2009, COBRA Block I was rated mature
enough to enter LRIP. The COBRA was successfully tested on
an MQ-8B in October 2010.
CON TRAC TOR: . . . . . . . . . . Northrop Grumman Corp.
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AAQ-22E BRITE STAR II ON NOSE OF UH-1Y VENOM
