The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $90 million first-lot production contract for the next-generation Multi-Spectral Targeting System. The AN/DAS-4, the latest variant of the MTS family of sensors, incorporates greater fire control and target location accuracy technology delivering more accurate coordinates for higher precision weapon engagements.
The new DAS-4 High Definition/Target Location Accuracy (HD/TLA) features incorporate several improvements including: four high definition cameras covering five spectral bands; a three-color diode pump laser designator/rangefinder; laser spot search and track capability; automated sensor and laser bore sight alignment; three mode target tracker; and built in provisions for future growth.
“These next generation capabilities give our warfighters an unfair advantage through more effective assessment of threats and engagement of targets,” said Fred Darlington, vice president of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems at Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems.
Combat-proven, with nearly three million operational flight hours, MTS sensors provide detailed intelligence data from the visual and infrared spectra. The new MTS variant allows mission commanders to use high definition data from an airborne tactical sensor to identify and engage targets with much greater accuracy, significantly improving overall mission effectiveness.
Raytheon has delivered more than 3,000 MTS systems on a wide range of platforms, including: remotely piloted aircraft, helicopters and fixed-wing Aircraft. To date 44 variants of the MTS system were integrated on more than 20 rotary-wing, Unmanned Aerial System, and fixed-wing platforms – including the MH-60 Blackhawk, the C-130 Hercules, the MQ-9C Reaper, the MQ-1 Predator, and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
