LEXINGTON, Mass., May 19 -- Raytheon Co. has been awarded a $38 million U.S. Navy follow-on production contract for helicopter infrared laser detecting-ranging-tracking systems. The contract--awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind.--calls for Raytheon to deliver 35 AN/AAS-44 (V) systems to be installed on the Navy's Light Airborne Multi-purpose System MK III SH-60B armed helicopters as part of an upgrade program. Deliveries under this Lot 4 production award are scheduled to commence in April 2000.
The AN/AAS-44 (V) is a multi-purpose, high-performance thermal imaging and laser system providing long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, range- finding, and laser designation for HELLFIRE and all tri-service/NATO laser-guided munitions. The system has also been deployed on Navy HH-60H helicopters, and capable of supporting a number of rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms and missions.