Raytheon to supply Army with more infrared sensor systems

Raytheon Co. will provide the Army with an undisclosed number of additional infrared sensor systems for a surveillance system used in Iraq and Afghanistan under an $86.6 million contract.

The Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment sensor systems provide constant surveillance using infrared sensors mounted on an elevated stationary platform. They are in wide use in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

FLIR Systems builds the sensors.

They will now also be used as part of the Army's Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System (BETSS), which combines communications and electronic eavesdropping gear and software with day and night camera towers.

The Army is spending $1.5 billion to build 300 more towers in Afghanistan and equip all of them with BETSS, according to news reports

Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems Air Defense Center, of Andover, Mass., and Warfighter Protection Center, of Huntsville, Ala., are manufacturing the systems.

Raytheon, of Waltham, Mass., ranks No. 4 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.