BAE wins $15M contract to build thermal sights

[unhappycamper]

BAE wins $15M contract to build thermal sights
By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 23, 2007 17:24:23 EDT

The Army has awarded a $15 million contract to BAE Systems to make the thermal sights for a computerized weapons system designed to make the turret gunner’s job a lot safer.

Under a five-year contract, the British defense company will build up to 6,500 TIM1500 thermal imaging sights for the Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station II program, according to a BAE press release. The contract has a potential value of $200 million.

The CROWS II allows the gunner to control the turret weapon with a joystick and a computer screen from relative safety inside the vehicle and shoot with near-perfect accuracy.

In August, the Army awarded a $1.4 billion contract to Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace to make the CROWS II systems over the next five years.

BAE is scheduled to begin delivering the sights in early 2008, according to the BAE release.

The TIM1500 sight gives gunners the ability to perform surveillance and target acquisition at extended ranges, the release states.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/army_sights_071023w/