Textron Awarded LAVA Contract

WILMINGTON, Mass., Aug. 20 -- Textron Systems Corp. announced it has been awarded the $49.9 million Lidar Applications for Vehicles with Analysis (LAVA) contract under the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, in Albuquerque, N.M. The five-year LAVA program will enable the US Air Force and Textron Systems to develop technology to support US Air Force assets and test sites for prototyping and understanding the role of nonweapons-class lasers, laser radars, laser sensing, remote sensing and measurement systems, target acquisition and tracking and general imaging systems.

By combining advanced eye-safe, solid-state laser and low-noise focal plane technologies with its expertise in airborne optical systems, Textron Systems said it will further the development of airborne sensor packages to support fire control missions. Building on its coherent infrared transceiver technology, the company will continue development of high-power laser radar systems to support long-range tracking and identification of space objects. In addition, the program will operate and upgrade the Maui Space Surveillance System laser radars and imaging capabilities for ground-to-space and ground-to ground laser radar missions.

Testing will take place at the Maui Space Surveillance Site atop Mt. Haleakala in Hawaii. Atmospheric conditions there are similar to those found at airborne operating altitudes, benefiting research, development, and testing initiatives. Textron Systems Hawaii Operations will act as the center of the LAVA activities.

Textron Systems Corp., a division of Textron subsidiary Avco Corp., provides technology to the global aerospace and defense industries in the areas of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft control components, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles.

For more information, visit: www.textron.com